In particular, the increased levels of IL-1RA, IL-8, IL-10, IL-16, IL-18, TNF-α, MIP-1α, G-CSF and VEGF in PMF patients compared to SS patients could serve as the basis for designing a panel of cytokines, to which others can gradually be added, to serve as a robust biomarker of the severity of ES silicosis. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is synovial sarcoma.