The inhibition of integrin β1- and αvβ3-mediated interactions between disseminated breast cancer cells and the perivascular niche, mediated partly by endothelial-derived vWF and VCAM-1, sensitizes the cancer cells to chemotherapy, without inducing proliferation or exacerbating toxicity, and prevents bone metastasis [8]. The gene discussed is VCAM1; the disease is cancer.