Using NCCIT cells as a system with CSC-like properties we could demonstrate that GDF3 robustly induces expression of a panel of genes related to differentiation, among which are several potent tumor suppressors, such as HOXA9, HOXA10 and HOXB13. This finding is important for development of new therapies against breast cancer. The gene discussed is HOXA9; the disease is breast carcinoma.