EPCAM and cancer: MiR-494 expression correlated with stem cell markers PROM1/CD133 and EPCAM in HCCs (Pearson’s correlation; p = 0.004; p = 0.006, respectively) (Fig. 1b, c), but not in cirrhosis, confirming miR-494 aberrant expression and its correlation with stemness markers as cancer-specific events16.