In addition, tobacco and carcinogenic compounds can induce loss-of-function mutations in TP53,21 activate Myc and Bcl-2,81 and upregulate Sox2, CD133 and CD166 expression.82–84 Hence, the role of these carcinogens in promoting stemness and SCLC initiation remains to be further investigated. The gene discussed is MYC; the disease is small cell lung carcinoma.