Kinases that are involved in NO and TNF production by human monocytes (MO) stimulated by colorectal cancer (DeTa) cells and effects of exogenous and endogenously synthesized TNF on NO induction were studied. The results based on the use of various inhibitors of protein kinases suggest that different signalling pathways operate in MO during induction of TNF and NO release after stimulation by DeTa cells. Stimulation of NO production required at least PTK, PKC and PKA, but only PTK and PKC were engaged in signal transduction for TNF production. Exogenous TNF and TNF produced by MO upon contact with DeTa cells was not sufficient for the induction or enhancement of NO synthesis in MO. The TNF synthesis was not influenced by neither exogenous nor endogenous NO produced by MO in the co-culture. Therefore, signal transduction pathways operating in MO during NO induction seem to be different from these engaged in TNF production, and both regulatory pathways probably operate in MO independently.