NFKB1 and neoplasm: Here we show, using MD lymphocytes isolated directly ex vivo that they are either neoplastically transformed and express high levels of CD30 (CD30hi) or are non-transformed and express low levels of CD30 (CD30lo) that: 1) neoplastic transformation is a continuum and the CD30lo lymphocytes within the tumor microenvironment are pre-neoplastic; 2) as the lymphocytes become more neoplastically transformed they become more immune-evasive; 3) the MDV oncogene Meq, has a direct role in this process and 4) NF-κB has a central role in this neoplastic transformation.