The possible mechanisms of NMC were explored by evaluating the expression levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 (IL-6) using ELISA and analysing the protein expression levels of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, p-IκB, IκB, IκB kinase (IKK) and p-IKK using western blots. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is nut midline carcinoma.