ASCL2 and neoplasm: Interestingly, similar to stem cells in normal tissues, Lgr5+ cells were often restricted to the base of the tumor glands, and such Lgr5+ restriction was associated with high levels of intestinal stem cell markers such as EPHB2, OLFM4, and ASCL2. Thus, our findings show that Lgr5+ cells are present at the base of the antral glands in the human stomach and that this cell population significantly expands in intestinal metaplasias.