Our data show that pro-inflammatory cytokines are elevated in cancer cells infected with SP. Interestingly, the elimination of NF-kB significantly reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines in cancer cells infected with SP. Furthermore, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines are also found in xenograft tumors created from cancer cells treated with SP. In addition, tobacco carcinogen-induced lung cancer mice treated with SP have higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum compared with those treated with carcinogen alone. The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is lung cancer.