The expression of these ligands, and the consequent reactivity of the Fc-NKG2D and Fc-DNAM1 chimeras, is maintained in CRC cell lines involved in tumor spheroid formation; this would indicate that NK cells can use most of their classic receptor-ligand systems to invade CRC spheroids and exert their anti-tumor function. The gene discussed is CD226; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.