We previously identified tetraspanin 8 (Tspan8) protein as an important factor in early melanoma invasion.1 Tspan8 is 1 of the 33 mammalian members of the tetraspanin family, composed of transmembrane proteins that organize laterally, together or with other membrane partners such as integrins, to form ‘tetraspanin webs’. The gene discussed is TSPAN8; the disease is melanoma.