Importantly, downregulation of USP38 significantly reduced the number of apoptotic HCT116 cells treated with chemotherapeutics while upregulation of USP38 significantly consolidated the number of apoptotic HCT116 cells treated with chemotherapeutics (Fig. 3e), suggesting that USP38 sensitize colorectal cancer cells towards chemotherapeutics. This evidence concerns the gene USP38 and colorectal cancer.