Similarly, CCA4 and CCLP1 SPH exposed to DFO showed common reduced expression of CD133, EpCAM, tyrosine-protein kinase Kit (cKIT), SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2 (SOX2), Notch homolog 1 (NOTCH1), Twist-related protein 1 (Twist) and epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) (Fig. 4b), thus suggesting a clear involvement of iron metabolism in the modulation of tumour stem-like features of CCA. This evidence concerns the gene SOX2 and cholangiocarcinoma.