Targeted resequencing of human colorectal cancer (CRC) stem-like cells (CCSCs), stem-like circulating tumor cells (cCCSCs) and metastatic colorectal stem cells (mCCSCs).

Here we report that CCSCs themselves can sustain the maintenance of the primary human colorectal tumor and, through the activation of a functional EMT-program, drive the dissemination into the circulation and the colonization of distant organs.