Finally, the lack of association between COX-2, NF-κB-p65 or IKKα in stromal cells with the clinical severity of colorectal cancer as determined by the Duke's stage, suggests that COX-2, NF-κB-p65 and IKKα expression are possibly early post-initiation events, that could be involved in tumour progression. The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is colorectal cancer.