The interaction between adipocyte and CD36-overexpressing breast cancer cells enhances: 1) lipid droplet (LD) formation and FA accumulation; 2) proliferation; 3) migration and invasion; 4) tumorigenesis in xenograft Balb/c nude mice; 5) FA uptake, which correlates with the activation of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program; and 6) expression of the CSC associated markers CD44, CD133, ALDH, OCT4, and SOX2. The gene discussed is CD44; the disease is breast cancer.