CD146 (also referred to as MUC18, MCAM, Mel-CAM, S-Endo-1, P1H12 antigen) was initially identified as a marker of tumour progression and metastasis formation in human melanoma (Lehmann et al, 1989; Bardin et al, 1996; Shih et al, 1997). This evidence concerns the gene MCAM and melanoma.