These stages include the RUNX2 effect on CXCR4 mRNA and protein levels (which were upregulated by RUNX2), its impact on pathological properties of melanoma cells (RUNX2 promoted invasiveness, osteotropism, and autophagy), and the associated regulatory mechanism (which involved the inhibition of the mTOR signalling pathway). Here, CXCR4 is linked to melanoma.