Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed the upregulation of Hedgehog signaling pathway-associated genes (IHH and Gli1), Wnt signaling pathway-associated genes (FZD7, beta catenin), other stemness-associated genes (Notch3), epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-associated genes (cMET and vimentin), and liver cancer stem cell surface marker (CD24 and CD90) in sphere-cultured SNU245, SU308, SNU869, and SNU1196 cells (Fig. 1B, Supplementary Fig. 1B). Here, THY1 is linked to liver cancer.