In an experimental study that investigated the mRNA expression of 12 EMT-related/stemness markers (CD133, CD90, CD44, ALDH1, CK19, OCT4, SOX2, vimentin, nestin, CD13, and EpCAM), only CD44 and CD133 proved to be upregulated in HCC cells, compared with normal hepatic parenchyma [49]. Here, VIM is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.