However, flow cytometry analysis revealed a reduction in a subpopulation of CD44/CD29, but not CD44/CD49f, -double positive cells upon cryopreservation (Fig. 4C), suggesting that cryopreservation might differentially affect the viability of specific subpopulations in EqMDEC cultures, including those responsible for the observed anti-cancer effects. Here, CD44 is linked to cancer.