However, NPC-derived factors are able to induce IL-1β expression in monocytes/macrophages and direct interaction between monocytes/macrophages and NPC cells greatly increased the expression of IL-1β, indicating that NPC cells are able to “educate” macrophages by both secretory factors and cell-cell contact to induce IL-1β. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is nasopharyngeal carcinoma.