In this study, using MAP4K4 kinase-active (T187E) mutant or kinase-inactive mutants (K54R or T191E) as a tool and rodent cells (NIH3T3 and RIE-1 cells) as cellular models, Wright et al. found that MAP4K4, in a kinase activity-dependent manner, positively regulate cell transformation and invasion and negatively regulates cell spreading and adhesion, which provides the first clue suggesting that MAP4K4 may promote tumor development and progression. This evidence concerns the gene MAP4K4 and neoplasm.