An APPR has been well documented among patients with cancer, including gastric and oesophageal malignancies, and an elevated serum CRP has been identified as an adverse prognostic indicator, independent of stage of disease, among these patients (Rashid et al, 1982; Falconer et al, 1995; Kodama et al, 1999; McMillan et al, 2001, 2003; Nozoe et al, 2001; Forrest et al, 2003). The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is cancer.