Although the number of genes that we were able to validate by our technical approach is low (S2 Table) some of the transcripts over expressed in CD14+Tie2+ cells (IL1β, HPSE, TYMP) have been previously reported among the genes that characterize the expression profile of solid tumor TEMs, belonging to those required for tumor angiogenesis [27]. The gene discussed is HPSE; the disease is neoplasm.