It is known that some classical inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, are found to be overexpressed in degenerated or herniated discs, but IL-6 is not so ‘classical’ than the other two, because the expression levels of IL-6 are demonstrated to be affected by IL-1β or TNF-α, especially when the other two are applied to induce NPC degeneration. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is nasopharyngeal carcinoma.