Previous characterisation of these ALDH1+ve subpopulations identified a number of key properties typical of cancer stem cells, such as increased gene expression of the pluripotent stem cell markers, Nanog, Oct-4, Sox-2, Klf4, cMyc and CD133, the ability to asymmetrically divide and give rise to differentiated lineages, expansion of an ALDH1+ve subpopulation during platinum exposure and increased resistance to cisplatin [27]. The gene discussed is POU5F1; the disease is cancer.