Get with the Program! Stemness and Reprogramming in Melanoma Metastasis.

Cancer cells are highly plastic and adopt multiple phenotypic states that contribute to tumor progression. Heppt et al. demonstrate that the homeodomain transcription factor Msh homeobox 1 reprograms melanoma cells to a precursor state associated with melanoma progression and increased liver metastasis. Identification of this new role for Msh homeobox 1 may facilitate the development of new therapies that limit melanoma dissemination.