Overwhelming evidence shows that the cell-surface-associated uPA–uPAR complex is causatively involved in tumour invasion and metastasis of many types of cancers by exerting multifaceted functions through either direct or indirect interactions with integrins, endocytosis receptors and growth factors (Andreasen et al, 1997; Sidenius and Blasi, 2003). The gene discussed is PLAU; the disease is cancer.