Ovarian cancer initiating cells [stem cells] from primary human tumors were found within such non-adherent spheroids, exhibited enhanced chemoresistance to cisplatin or paclitaxel, and had upregulated stem cell markers such as Notch-1, Nanog, Oct-5, and cell surface markers CD117 [c-kit] (5). The gene discussed is KIT; the disease is ovarian carcinoma.