Blocking IL-2 and IL-15 activities in the context of IL-1β administration completely abrogated the ability of Pmel-1 cells to control tumor growth and shortened the life span of tumor-bearing mice (Fig. 7, F and G), suggesting a strong dependence of IL-1β enhancement of T cell antitumor function on IL-2 and IL-15. The gene discussed is IL2; the disease is neoplasm.