The present invention relates to an inhibitor of necroptosis for use in preventing the metastasis of tumours. Further, the present invention relates to a method of preventing the metastasis of tumours by inhibiting necroptosis and to a method for modulating the transmigration of metastasising tumour cells through endothelium by modulating necroptosis as well as to an in-vitro method of identifying an inhibitor of necroptosis suitable as a lead compound and/or as a medicament for the prevention of tumour metastasis. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a method of identifying necroptotic and necrotic cells.
