Since blockade of IL-1R by anakinra reduced leukocyte levels in both HPV-positive and HPV-negative OPSCC in vitro, it could be argued that this antagonist may be effective for both types of tumour, however, the increased numbers of leukocytes recruited to HPV-negative OPSCC suggests that the treatment would be most effective for this cancer type. The gene discussed is IL1R1; the disease is cancer.