Genes known to be expressed in CRC were also significantly upregulated, such as HOX2D and RHOB, which mediate apoptosis in neoplastic cells, and are targets for novel antitumour agents, such as farnesyltransferase inhibitors (Vider et al, 1997; Delarue et al, 2007). This evidence concerns the gene HOXB8 and colorectal carcinoma.