In addition to the high neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, the increased expression of cytokines including IL-6, TGF-β and G-CSF and of the chemokines CXCL1-3 in C2 tumours suggests pro-tumourigenic (N2) polarisation of these neutrophils81–86, which is typical of tumours with a high NLR87. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is neoplasm.