These trials were a huge disappointment, particularly since (i) early studies suggested promising effects of TNF-inhibiting antibodies in a baboon sepsis model with Gram-negative infection (6), (ii) TNF injections in animals and patients lead to very similar pathophysiological responses as those observed in sepsis (7), and (iii) several studies have found a link between polymorphisms in the TNF promoter and susceptibility for sepsis development (31). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is Sepsis.