In colon cancer, acquisition of a mesenchymal-like phenotype, that is reminiscent of an EMT, is associated with pro-metastatic properties including increased migration, invasion, and cancer stem cell characteristics.32 To further understand whether hMSCs contribute to EMT process and colon cancer progression, we cocultured HT29 or Lovo cells with untreated hMSCs or TNF-α-pretreated hMSCs via transwell for 4 days, and determined their morphological and molecular changes related to EMT. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is cancer.