On cellular level, the intestine-specific K8 deletion leads to (v) a shifted colonocyte cell differentiation toward a goblet cell fate linked to decreased Notch1; (vi) an increased proliferation and regeneration capacity seen as longer crypts, occasional prolapse, and increased cell proliferation signaling, as well as (vii) a dramatic increase in susceptibility to chemically induced colorectal cancer. This evidence concerns the gene KRT8 and colorectal cancer.