Both IL-1β and IL-8 are recognised as important cytokines in the generation of the systemic inflammatory response and it is possible that high tissue concentrations of these cytokines stimulate PBMCs as they pass through the tumour mass, which in turn act on target organs, such as the liver, to induce the synthesis of APPs that are associated with systemic inflammation. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is neoplasm.