This position is reinforced by the fact that the loss of COL1A1 function significantly impairs colony and tumorsphere formation of HCC cells in vitro (Figure 5), and consistent with current therapeutic strategies that target CSCs-like HCC cells with enhanced capacity to colonize distant organs and exert tumor-initiating potential in the tumor microenvironment [22]. The gene discussed is COL1A1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.