Pulling RANK: are some melanoma cells more malignant than others?

Abstract

Cellular heterogeneity is a frequently noted feature of melanoma. As reported in this issue, Kupas et al. identified heterogeneous expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) in melanoma cells in tumors and peripheral blood from patients. Increased expression of RANK was associated with the presence of metastatic disease and increased tumorigenicity in melanoma cells, raising the possibility that RANK signaling contributes to melanoma progression.