While the data reported in this study in no way indicate that the cells expressing these markers are cancer stem cells (which generally make up single digit or less percentages of the total cancer cell population in a tumor), the statistically significant increases in Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Myc expression in benign and malignant tumors relative to normal tissues provides correlative support that overexpression of these proteins could contribute to their overall tumorigenic properties. This evidence concerns the gene SOX2 and cancer.