Various cytokines and soluble growth factors upon interaction with their membrane receptors are responsible for inducing cellular proliferation, differentiation, movement, and protection from anoikis (a planned suicide activated by normal cells in absence of attachment to neighboring cells or extracellular matrix (EMC)). Among those soluble factors a major position is exerted by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) together with its receptor MET and macrophage‐stimulating protein (MSP) in cooperation with its receptor RON. J. Cell. Physiol. 213: 316–325, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.