Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an important component of the immune system, responsible for regulating inflammation and apoptosis. There are several synonyms for TNF, including cachexin, necrosin, and TNF-alpha. Cachexin is a term that is often used to refer to TNF in the context of cancer, where TNF can cause weight loss and muscle wasting. Necrosin is another synonym for TNF-alpha, which is the most common form of TNF. TNF-alpha is produced by a variety of cells, including macrophages, T cells, and NK cells, and is a key mediator of inflammation. Overall, TNF is a complex protein with many different functions, with each synonym highlighting a different aspect of its biology.