These data show that the transition of tumor cells into a mesenchymal-like state is characterized by the inactivation of neuroepithelial transcription factors, such as SOX2 and members of the Nuclear Factor I and Regulatory Factor X families, and the activation of transcription factors from the NFκB, AP-1, MAF/BACH, MYC, YAP/TAZ, and sonic hedgehog signaling pathways. This evidence concerns the gene SOX2 and neoplasm.