In addition, they affect treatment response and are associated with rapid deterioration and a dismal prognosis.11–14 In clinical practice, this is simply reflected by the production of acute phase proteins, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and the increase of circulating blood leucocytes.15,16 The link between systemic inflammation and tumour behaviour implies the identification of clinically available surrogate markers to determine the extent of the disease.17–19. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is neoplasm.