In contrast, compared to cancer cell lines and matched primary tumors, genes involved in cell proliferation (e.g., MYC, ATF3, TERT, RAC1, FOXA1, RRM1, CCNB1, BIRC5, Ki-67, c-Myc) were significantly downregulated in CTCs across breast42 and colorectal24 cancers, suggesting a non-proliferative, or dormant, state of CTCs in circulation. The gene discussed is MYC; the disease is cancer.