For DC surface markers in the LPS-stimulated setting, oesophageal cancer enhanced five DC markers (CD54, CD80, HLA-DR, CD86 and CD83), rectal cancer enhanced the levels of three DC markers (CD80, CD86 and CD83), whereas colonic cancer inhibited the levels of five DC markers (CD54, HLA-DR, CD86, CD83 and PD-L1) compared to LPS-induced levels in respective background media. The gene discussed is ICAM1; the disease is rectal cancer.