The Ep/non-CSC population expresses the epithelial proteins E-cadherin and Claudin-1 and a CD24Hi/CD44Lo cell surface expression profile characteristic of non-CSC while the Mes/CSC population expresses mesenchymal proteins SNAIL, SLUG, and VIMENTIN, CSC protein NANOG, and a CD24Lo/CD44Hi CSC profile and having enhanced migratory capacity and the ability to form tumor spheres. The gene discussed is NANOG; the disease is neoplasm.