For example, macrophage inflammatory protein 1b (MIP 1b), interleukin 13 (IL13), metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) are down-regulated in plasma from SCCHN patients compared to controls. The gene discussed is EGF; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.