In addition, we have shown some of the proteins (CCL20/MIP-3α, TIMP1, IL8, PDGFR-B, CCL3/MIP-1α and CXCL9/MIG) to be detected at a higher level in the plasma from gastric cancer patients than in patients with non-malignant gastric conditions or with normal gastric mucosa. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is gastric cancer.