An elevated white cell count, together with elevated C-reactive protein and other pro-inflammatory cytokines, and hypoalbuminaemia are thought to be markers of tumour–host interaction involved in the anorexia–cachexia syndrome in patients with cancer (Sharma et al, 2008; McMillan, 2009) and are associated with poor tolerance to, and increased toxicity, from standard-dose chemotherapy. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is cancer.