We speculate that the discrepancy in IL-38 expression in CRC vs. non-small cell carcinoma of the lung may be due to different immune system responses within the two tissues, which experience quite different microflora loads and/or microenvironments, with the differing stimuli tipping the different host responses in opposite directions, which requires further clarification. The gene discussed is IL1F10; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.