ALDH1A1 and cancer: Studies have elucidated that there is a close association between the CSC‐like traits and EMT program.3, 27, 40 EMT endows the mammary epithelial cells and cancer cells with the stem cell properties, including the upregulation of CSC specific cell‐surface markers (ie, elevated expression of ALDH1A1 and CD133 27, 38), which is essential for the initiation and progression of breast cancer.37, 41 Through in vitro experiments, we demonstrated that FLI‐1 is pivotal for the acquisition and sustenance of CSC‐like properties.