A moderate positive correlation was seen between CAR expression and genes down-regulated in Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)+ HCC (Yamashita: genes down-regulated EpCAM+ HCC only, r = 0.56, p < 0.0001) and genes down-regulated in HCC cells that are related to hepatic stem cell properties (Yamashita: genes down-regulated in HCC cells with hepatic stem cell properties, r = 0.61, p < 0.0001) (Fig. 1A). This evidence concerns the gene EPCAM and hepatocellular carcinoma.