Importantly, recent mouse studies provide strong and direct genetic evidence that the classical IKK-β (inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) kinase-β)-dependent NF-κB activation pathway, which was proposed several years ago to be the molecular link between inflammation and carcinogenesis, is a crucial mediator of tumour promotion (Karin and Greten, 2005). The gene discussed is IKBKB; the disease is neoplasm.