Cancer stem cell subpopulations in primary colon adenocarcinoma.

This study suggests the presence of two putative sub-populations of CSCs: a NANOG+/OCT4- epithelial subpopulation and an OCT4+/NANOG- stromal subpopulation. Normal colon, LGCA and HGCA could be accurately distinguished from one another using iPSC marker expression. Once validated, novel combinations of iPSC markers may provide diagnostic and prognostic value to help guide patient management.