We anticipated an increase in serum IL-1β in individuals with advanced adenoma recurrence, although Roselli et al (2003) did not observe differences in serum IL-1β concentrations between healthy and colorectal adenoma or cancer patients, because IL-1β initiates the pro-inflammatory cascade and is necessary for tumour invasion and metastasis (Apte et al, 2006; Krelin et al, 2007). The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is colorectal adenoma.