In addition, a high level of SDF-1 was noted in bone as well as in all target organs for breast-cancer metastasis and, in Nude mice, a neutralising anti-CXCR-4 antibody induces a significant inhibition of breast-cancer metastasis in vivo, indicating a major role of the SDF-1/CXCR-4 pathway in the metastatic process. The gene discussed is CXCL12; the disease is breast cancer.