Among genes encoding inflammasome components, IL1B and NLRP3 are highly expressed in colon cancer tissues (Fig. 2)40,41, and accumulating evidence points to critical roles of the inflammasomes and IL-1β in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and azoxymethane (AOM) plus DSS-induced CAC. This evidence concerns the gene NLRP3 and colitis.