HMGB1 and neoplasm: In addition, TLRs can also be stimulated by endogenous molecules, such as high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), heat shock proteins (HSP60 and HSP70), uric acid and components of the extracellular matrix 29 in accordance with the ‘danger hypothesis’ proposing that TLRs are able to sense danger signals (danger associated molecular patterns, DAMPs) even if they originate from self proteins released from cells undergoing unprogrammed necrotic death 30 or from tumour cells treated with anticancer agents 31.