Abstract: Disclosed is a physiologically active complex which comprises a proteinaceous part with TNF activity and a high molecular part bound artificially to the N-terminus of the proteinaceous part. The proteinaceous part in the complex has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 where Xaa is a member selected from the group consisting of asparagine, alanine, arginine, serine, threonine, proline, methionine, and leucine; while the high molecular part in the complex is a homopolymer of polyethylene glycol, copolymer of polyethylene glycol, or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a physiologically active complex which comprises a proteinaceous part with TNF activity and a high molecular part bound artificially to the N-terminus of the proteinaceous part. The proteinaceous part in the complex has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 where Xaa is a member selected from the group consisting of asparagine, alanine, arginine, serine, threonine, proline, methionine, and leucine; while the high molecular part in the complex is a homopolymer of polyethylene glycol, copolymer of polyethylene glycol, or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating the therapeutic efficacy of physiologically active substances or antitumor agents, particularly, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-&agr;) in the treatment of cancers. The method comprises a step of evaluating the expression level of a TNF-&agr;-related gene in a cancer cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a physiologically active complex which comprises a proteinaceous part with TNF activity and a high molecular part bound artificially to the N-terminus of the proteinaceous part. The proteinaceous part in the complex has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 where Xaa is a member selected from the group consisting of asparagine, alanine, arginine, serine, threonine, proline, methionine, and leucine; while the high molecular part in the complex is a homopolymer of polyethylene glycol, copolymer of polyethylene glycol, or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are transgenic plants produced from edible plants by transforming them with a DNA encoding one or more physiologically active proteins, including cytokines, of mammalian origin. The transgenic plants contain the physiologically active proteins of mammalian origin, and the proteins present in the transgenic plants exhibit efficacy for preventing intractable diseases in the bodies of mammals that ingested the plants without causing serious side effects. The transgenic plants are useful as healthcare foods that are daily feasible for the aim of preventing intractable diseases such as malignant tumors.