As is the case with the SFDM sphere-induced tumors, these tumors were positive for CD44, vimentin, laminin and diffusely positive for CD31 and CD34 staining, suggesting that the anti-miR-17 cancer sphere cells were able to recapitulate both renal and endothelial cell types of RCC. This evidence concerns the gene PECAM1 and renal cell carcinoma.