Previous studies have reported that bone metastases in some cancers, such as breast, prostate, and multiple myeloma, lead to the release of osteoclast-activating factors (e.g. β2-microglobulin, IL-1β, and TNF-α) from myeloma cells, T cells, marrow stromal cells, and monocytes, thereby promoting osteoclastogenesis and osteoclastic bone resorption64–66. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is cancer.