However, cytokine protein concentrations were significantly elevated in the tumour tissue: IL-1β 136 pg mg−1 of total protein (IQR 41–425), P=0.007; IL-6 3 pg mg−1 (IQR 0–46), P<0.05; IL-8 56 pg mg−1 (IQR 23–159), P=0.007; TNF-α 7 pg mg−1 (IQR 1–26), P<0.05 (Figure 3B). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and neoplasm.