Based on the lncRNA X-inactive specific transcript (lncRNA Xist) downregulation in brain metastases, Xing et al. silenced Xist in breast cancer cells, thus promoting brain metastatic growth in xenograft models through the stimulation of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and the activation of the mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor (c-Met), as well as the stemness regain of breast cancer cells. Here, XIST is linked to breast cancer.