Although the univariate analysis showed that inferior PFSR was associated with a rectal tumor location (P = 0.031), advanced tumor stage (P < 0.001), serum albumin level <3.5 g/dL (P = 0.021), CEA ≥ 5 ng/mL (P < 0.001), CRP ≥ 5 mg/L (P < 0.001), IL‐1β ≥ 10 pg/mL (P = 0.048), TNFα ≥ 55 pg/mL (P = 0.022) and higher cytokine intensity (Fig. 1B, P = 0.048), the multivariate analysis found tumor stage to be the only independent factor for PFSR (P < 0.001). The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is neoplasm.