Working with primary CRC cultures, Vermeulen et al identified myofibroblast‐derived hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as an activator of β‐catenin‐dependent transcription and resultant epithelial cancer stem cell clonogenicity 57 and this acts alongside osteopontin and SDF1 to impose a cancer stem cell phenotype on CRC progenitor cells 58. The gene discussed is CXCL12; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.