Downregulation of integrin α1 subunit/ITGA1 expression had no significant effect on apoptosis in adherent HT29, T84 and SW480 cells but a significant increase in caspase-3 activity was observed in the three sh-ITGA1 cell lines kept in suspension (Figure 3), demonstrating that the α1β1 integrin may exert a preventive effect on anoikis in CRC cells. The gene discussed is CASP3; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.