Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumour-initiating cells (TICs) are characterized by their self-renewal and differentiation capacity, which are assessed by their ability to generate a heterogeneous tumour in immunocompromised mice in serial transplantations.2 In pancreatic cancer, those properties were initially shown by cells expressing CD24, CD44 and ESA (epithelial surface antigen).3 The gene discussed is CD44; the disease is neoplasm.