Researchers have focused on three human melanoma cell lines: C8161, 1174MEL, and Me18105 and the investigations concluded that NE can escalate tumor progression, by stimulating the secretion of factors involved in angiogenesis and metastasis, but also to upregulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL-8, and IL-6 in C8161 cells, and to a lesser extent in Me18105 and 1174MEL cells. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is melanoma.