Greater pluripotency, EMT capacity and higher Dclk1 expression in the IECs of the ApcMin/+ mice in the present study points out a common mechanism of functional interdependence between Dclk1 and pluripotency and EMT factors that may increase stem cell compartment during intestinal tumorigenesis similar to that observed in breast cancer [26]. The gene discussed is DCLK1; the disease is breast cancer.