HES1, which is a downstream target of Notch pathway and one of the important markers of CRC stem cells, is known to contribute to tumour relapses in CRC patients after 5-FU based chemotherapy, but the role of HES1 in chemoresistant CRC has not yet been elucidated (Gao et al., 2014). The gene discussed is HES1; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.