Chronic inflammation and cancer are closely associated in the intestine. Anti-inflammatory medication reduces intestinal neoplasia, while colorectal cancer incidence is increased in ulcerative colitis. Cyclooxygenases are key to both diseases, yet the molecular basis of the association remains incompletely understood. Two recent CellGreten et al. 2004, Rakoff-Nahoum et al. 2004 papers illuminate roles of Toll-like receptors and the NF-κB pathway in the control of epithelial homeostasis in health and disease.