Following, sphere formation assay was performed to assess the stemness traits of COLEC12, and the results indicated that the sphere numbers and sizes were markedly attenuated after si-COLEC12-2 and -3 transfections in Caco-2 cells and suggested a suppression of CRC cells that exhibit stemness properties (Fig. 10c). This evidence concerns the gene COLEC12 and colorectal carcinoma.