Thus, while IL-1 is reported to increase ovarian cancer cell growth in an autocrine fashion (Marth et al, 1996; Huleihel et al, 1997; Kawakami et al, 1997), IL-1 is documented to enhance ovarian cancer cell death and inhibit cellular repair mechanisms (Benchekroun et al, 1995; Wang et al, 1996). This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and ovarian carcinoma.