IL‐1β plays a pivotal role in proliferation, migration and invasion in malignant tumours.31, 32 In fact, IL‐1β is suspected to be the primary factor determining why some individuals infected with H. pylori develop GC while others do not.33 While our data support this theory, the network regulating the expression and function of MET in tumour‐activated macrophages is complex and still requires significant exploration. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is gastric cancer.