IL1B and neoplasm: Although no study has reported data specific to HPV‐positive/negative OPC, abundant tumour‐associated macrophages and neutrophils have been found in HPV‐negative tumours in animal models, and in human HNC where they have been linked to poor prognosis.15, 16, 40, 41 This may be due to the actions of tumour‐derived IL‐1β on stromal fibroblasts, as evidenced in our study.