Research studies have shown that genetic activation of pluripotency or neural-specific transcription factors [like brain-specific homeobox/POU domain protein 2 (BRN2), Sox2, spalt-like transcription factor 2 (SALL2), and oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (OLIGO2)] can induce tumorigenic cancer stem cell-like states in GBM. The gene discussed is SALL2; the disease is glioblastoma.