USP21 and colorectal carcinoma: Subsequent multi-Cox regression analysis confirmed that TCGA subtype (HR = 1.764, 95%CI = 1.422–2.184, p = 0.037), TNM (T: HR = 2.128, 95%CI = 1.235–4.329, p = 0.034; N: HR = 1.893, 95%CI = 1.135–3.159, p = 0.015; M: HR = 2.542, 95%CI = 1.522–4.246, p < 0.001), pathological stage (HR = 1.638, 95%CI = 1.131–3.082, p = 0.041), age (HR = 1.032, 95%CI = 1.014–1.050, p < 0.001), and USP21 expression (HR = 1.900, 95%CI = 1.605–2.900, p = 0.012) independently acted as risk factors for CRC (Fig. 2A).