It is thought that TSPAN8 contributes to the cell motility of metastatic carcinoma cell lines, mostly through its association with α6β4 and CD151 following PMA treatment (Herlevsen et al, 2003; Gesierich et al, 2005), whereas association with α3β1 and α6β1 promotes haematogenic spread of tumour cells (Claas et al, 1998; Kanetaka et al, 2003). This evidence concerns the gene TSPAN8 and metastatic carcinoma.