Table 1.

Cancer stem cell markers are listed with previously described functions

CSC marker	Proposed function
CD44	ECM binding, organization of actin cytoskeleton, modulation of mitogenic signaling[112]
CD24	P-Selectin binding, cell migration[113]
ESA	Mediation of epithelial intercellular adhesion[114]
CD133	Activation of Wnt signaling and angiogenesis[115,116]
CXCR4	Receptor of SDF-1, hematopoietic stem cell homing, invasion[117]
MET	Receptor of HGF, promotes cell growth, proliferation, migration[11]
u-PA	ECM degradation, cell migration[118]

Note the pattern of migratory functions associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. ECM: Extracellular matrix; ESA: Epithelial specific antigen; CXCR4: Chemokine receptor type 4; SDF-1: Stromal cell-derived factor 1; MET: Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor; HGF: Hepatocyte growth factor; u-PA: Urokinase-type plasminogen activator.