Using a multitasking experimental approach involving RT QPCR, flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, Kelly et al. (20), detected an augmented expression of genes encoding IL-17, IL-1β and TNF-α in biopsies of lesional skin from HS patients when compared to biopsies from non-lesional skin and uninvolved skin from the same patients. The gene discussed is IL17A; the disease is histiocytic sarcoma.