CD44 mediates interactions betweentumor cells and the extracellular matrix through binding with hyaluronicacid. Annabi et al. demonstrated EGCG inhibiting hyaluronic acid binding toCD44 in U-87 glioma cells, particularly when treated with type-I collagen.Furthermore, treating glioma cells with EGCG reduces CD44 shedding. In spheroids, where hyaluronan synthases activityis high, inhibiting these enzymes prevents spheroid formation. Therefore, EGCG-induced CD44 increase in spheroids may serve as a compensatory mechanism forinhibited hyaluronic acid binding. The gene discussed is CD44; the disease is glioma.