Five candidate metastasis genes, namely CXCR4, IL-11, CTGF, MMP1 and osteopontin from the bone metastasis signature reported by Kang et al [38] encode secreted cytokines or cell surface receptors, which is consistent with traditionally accepted idea that metastasis formation is a consequence of pathological interactions between tumour cells and stromal microenvironment. Here, CXCR4 is linked to neoplasm.