We show that Usp9x/DUB inhibitor induced apoptosis in ERG independent prostate cancer lines (DU-145, PC-3 NE-like) and NEPC cell line (H660) through the down regulation of SOX2 (Supplementary Figure 4) and also impedes the formation of colonies in 3D-culture. The gene discussed is ZUP1; the disease is prostate cancer.