To determine if HuR inhibition by MS-444 promoted apoptosis, HCT116 colon cancer cells and non-transformed RIE-1 cells were treated with 10 μM MS-444 for 48 hr and assayed by flow cytometry for annexin V detection using propidium iodide to identify and exclude late apoptotic and necrotic cells. This evidence concerns the gene ELAVL1 and colonic neoplasm.