Irinotecan (CPT-11) has been reported to be cytotoxic to tumor cells through its inhibitory activity on type I DNA topoisomerase. CPT-11 has also been shown to have several unique biological activities apart from direct cytotoxicity. We investigated the ability of CPT-11 to induce tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) were incubated with LPS, CPT-11, or with vinblastin sulfate as a control. The priming effect of CPT-11 on endogenous production of TNF was examined by injecting the drug intravenously into mice, followed 3 hours by the injection of OK432. At a dose of 200-400 micrograms/kg, CPT-11 showed a significant priming effect. A significant amount of TNF was released when MNCs were incubated with 100-300 microM of CPT-11 for more than 4 hours, but not with vinblastin sulfate, indicating a triggering effect of TNF production on MNCs in vitro. These effects may be advantageous in cancer therapy.