BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation contributes to breast cancer development through the phospholipase A2 (PLA2)–cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)–nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) cascade, which regulates prostaglandin synthesis, oxidative stress, and transcription of pro-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic genes. The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is breast carcinoma.