Recently, we have shown that an elevated C-reactive protein and hypoalbuminaemia (using standardised assays and accepted thresholds for C-reactive protein and albumin concentrations) may be combined to form a score, the Glasgow Prognostic score (GPS), which has prognostic value, independent of stage and performance status, in patients with inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (Forrest et al, 2003, 2004). This evidence concerns the gene CRP and non-small cell lung carcinoma.