The possible role of inflammation-associated cykokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was investigated by measuring the levels of these cytokines in serum samples from 21 patients with advanced gastric carcinoma. These values were compared with those detected in 17 age-matched controls. The levels of IL-1gb and IL-6 were significantly increased (approximately sixfold) in gastric cancer patients. While there was a modest increase (approximately twofold) in the level of IL-1α, the circulating level of TNF-α was greatly reduced (approximately threefold) in the patient group.