In this study, through screening cell types for distinct CIL behaviours, we report that fibrosarcoma cells, rather than losing their heterotypic CIL response after contact with epithelial cells as previously predicted (Abercrombie, 1979), are actively repelled via an Eph–ERK signalling cascade, highlighting that not all cancer cells are necessarily CIL deficient. The gene discussed is EPHB2; the disease is fibrosarcoma.