•Upregulation of adhesion molecule ICAM‐I, VCAM‐I and E‐selectin on endothelial cells•Endothelial cells release chemoattractants IL‐6, CCL7, CXCL1/KC, CXCL2/MCP‐1, CXCL8, CCL2, RANTES/CCL5, IL‐1β and G‐CSF•Irradiated tumour cell release of CXCL16. The gene discussed is CSF3; the disease is neoplasm.