Induction of Snail increases expression of CD44 and ALDH1. The induction of EMT via Snail suppresses E-cadherin expression that leads HNSCC cells to adopt CSC-like phenotype and chemoresistance to cisplatin. Focusing on the strategic targeting of EMT-regulating Snail presents a potential benefit in cancer therapy, as suppressing EMT could effectively impede cancer progression and spread, while also preventing the development of cancer stem cells. The gene discussed is ALDH1A1; the disease is cancer.