Toxicity of intravesical recombinant human tumor necrosis factor in cynomolgus monkeys.

Six groups of two cynomolgus monkeys were treated with escalating intravesicular doses of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rHuTNF) for a 6 week interval. The doses of rHuTNF ranged from 10 ng to 1 mg and were instilled weekly. Two monkeys had instillation of saline only and served as controls. The monkeys were weighed and temperatures determined before, immediately after, and 2 days following each treatment. Cystoscopic examination was performed 2 days after each treatment and blood samples were obtained. At the conclusion of the study, animals were killed and necropsy was performed. There was no observable toxicity from treatment with rHuTNF. There was no difference between treated and control monkeys with respect to temperature, weight, or blood measurements. No drug-induced alteration in bladder morphology was found by either cystoscopic or microscopic pathologic examination.