TGF-β2 rich bone microenvironment promotes quiescence in HNSCC DTCs by inducing cell cycle inhibitor p27, metastatic suppressor DEC2 and SMAD1/5 activation, while the TGF-β2 low lung microenvironment permits metastatic outgrowth. The gene discussed is TGFB2; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.