We further found that 5-FU or curcumin treatment individually, or in combination (curcumin with 5-FU), significantly suppresses CSCs as revealed by decreased expression of specific CSCs markers (CD44, CD133 and ALDH1) and colonosphere formation in MMR-deficient and proficient tumor cells and their chemo-resistant counterparts in high density cultures. Here, CD44 is linked to neoplasm.