We show that melanoma cells respond to TNFα by undergoing phenotypic switching in a cell state-specific manner, with melanocytic and transitory melanomas being more susceptible to TNFα-induced dedifferentiation; these cells showed pronounced downregulation of the MITF transcription factor and its downstream target Melan A, with concurrent upregulation of NGFR compared to the neural crest-like dedifferentiated melanomas. The gene discussed is NGFR; the disease is melanoma.