In experimental models, it has been demonstrated that aggregates of squamous cell carcinoma cells lose cell–cell junctions and disperse via the selective induction of fascin-rich microspikes on the cell surface because of interaction of α3β1 integrin with its ligand laminin 5 elaborated by tumour cells themselves (Kawano et al, 2001) and the activation of downstream signalling mechanism involving the Rho-family small GTPase Cdc42 (Machesky and Hall, 1997, Adams and Schwartz, 2000). The gene discussed is CDC42; the disease is neoplasm.