NEIL1 inhibits apoptosis by increasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene, BCL2 apoptosis regulator (Bcl-2), and decreasing the expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BCL2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (Bax) and caspase-9) in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (Xue et al., 2020). Here, BCL2 is linked to colorectal carcinoma.