With regard to the CAF model, patient-derived normal and according cancer-associated fibroblasts revealed a conserved gene expression, defined by increased transcript levels of ACTA2, COL1A1, TNC, VEGFA and ALDH1A3, with concomitant decreased expression of CAV1, CD44 and VIM in CAFs (Fig. 4a). The gene discussed is CD44; the disease is cancer.