Importantly, flow cytometry analysis of cell surface markers revealed that the number of CD133 and CD44 double positive cells was significantly elevated in colorectal cancer cells transfected with shRNA targeting USP38 and the number of CD133 and CD44 double positive cells was significantly reduced in colorectal cancer cells overexpressing USP38 (Fig. 3c, d). This evidence concerns the gene CD44 and colorectal cancer.