CD44 and neoplasm: Alternative mRNA splicing of CD44 is mediated by epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1), (Brown et al., 2011; Jeong et al., 2017; Preca et al., 2015; Yae et al., 2012) and several reports have suggested that the upregulation of ESRP1 is associated with poor prognosis of tumours (Jeong et al., 2017; Yae et al., 2012).