ALDH1A3 and cancer: In agreement with the increased NF-κB and CD44 activity, treatment of two GSCs with BIR led to a significant increase in mRNA expression of the mesenchymal markers ALDH1A3 and Vimentin, as well as Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), known to promote cancer cell migration and metastasis23 (Fig. 3d).