Figure 3a and b show that both sphere and hypoxia-cultured NSCLC cell lines expressed high levels of NF-κB-p65 mRNA. To examine the effect of the NF-κB pathway on NSCLC CSC traits, A549 cells were stably transfected with NF-κB-p65. The transfected clones showed high expression of NF-κB-p65 mRNA, protein expression and NF-κB activity (Figure 3c–e). These clones expressed high levels of ALDH, CD133 and embryonic stem cell markers (Figure 3f–l). The transfected clones are also significantly resistant to all four tested chemotherapy drugs (Table 3 and Figure 3m). This evidence concerns the gene LDHA and non-small cell lung carcinoma.