We found that SOX17 knockdown increased the expression of stem cell pluripotency factors OCT4, SOX2 and stem cell marker CD133 (Figure 4A) and enhanced sphere-forming capacity of CRC cells (Supplementary Figure 4D), while this promoting effect could be rescued by miR-371-5p (Figure 4A and Supplementary Figure 4D). This evidence concerns the gene POU5F1 and colorectal carcinoma.