ALDH1A1 and neoplasm: Elevated ALDH1 activity has been linked to increased stemness, therapy resistance, and poor prognosis in multiple cancers.449 However, ALDH1 is not exclusive to CSCs, as it is also expressed in normal hematopoietic and epithelial progenitor cells.450 EpCAM, a cell surface glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion and signaling, has been proposed as a CSC marker in epithelial cancers.451 While EpCAM expression is frequently associated with tumor-initiating capacity, its functional role in CSC maintenance remains controversial.