To determine whether TLR3 stimulation links to CSC phenotypes, we activated TLR3 pathway in inflammatory breast cancer cell line SUM190 using poly(I:C), a specific TLR3 ligand.25 In contrast to control cells showing an adherent monolayer, exposure of Sum190 cells to poly(I:C) for 4 days resulted in the formation of adherent spherical clusters with an increase in cluster size after continuous culture in the presence of poly(I:C). The gene discussed is TLR3; the disease is breast cancer.