Based on their inflammatory activity, cytokines are divided into pro‐inflammatory (IL‐6, IL‐17, IL‐18, TNF‐α, interferon gamma [IFN‐γ], etc) 5 and anti‐inflammatory (Il‐4, IL‐10, IL‐13, etc) ones, whereas several cytokines have a dual role (IL‐10, IL‐22, TGF‐β1).6 Interleukin‐10, an anti‐inflammatory cytokine, has dual functions, being both immune‐suppressive (tumor‐inhibiting) and immune‐stimulating (tumor‐promoting), and may, therefore, influence tumor susceptibility and development. The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is neoplasm.