['NF-κB expression has been shown to be responsible for resistance to antineoplastic agents.', 'The aim of our study was to investigate the importance of NF-κB expression as prognostic factor in locally advanced rectal cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.', 'We retrospectively analysed the immunoreactivity for NF-κB in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) in our Institution between March 2003 and June 2006.', 'Seventy-four consecutive patients were enrolled into this study. Immunohistochemistry analysis for NF-κB was performed both in biopsies and in primary tumour samples. NF-κB was considered positive when at least 1% of the tumour cells showed nuclear positivity. A significant correlation between a positive NF-κB nuclear expression, both in biopsies and in tumour samples, and a worse overall survival was observed. Moreover, median time to progression was significantly shorter in the NF-κB-positive subgroup of patients.'] Does nuclear factor-κB predict outcome in locally advanced rectal cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant radio-chemotherapy?