In the age-adjusted model, the HRs of cancer mortality comparing men within the fourth quartile of CRP and leukocyte count to those within the first quartile were 1.65 (95 % CI 1.18-2.31, p-trend = 0.02) and 2.09 (95 % CI 1.52-2.89, p-trend = 0.01), respectively. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is cancer.