1); overall, the 5-year survival of ALL and AML is over 90 and 67%, respectively (Refs 1, 2). N-cadherin (CDH2) is a cell adhesion molecule that mediates adhesive interactions between leukaemia cells and the cells of the bone marrow (BM) (Refs 3, 4). These interactions facilitate leukaemia cell survival, evasion from apoptosis and cell dormancy ultimately resulting in treatment resistance (Refs 3, 4). Indeed, the niche-protected, dormant, non-apoptotic leukaemia cells may re-emerge in relapsed cases to develop resistance to therapy (Refs 5, 6). The gene discussed is CDH2; the disease is acute myeloid leukemia.