A large number of studies have indicated that Wnt-5a commands a tumour-suppressing effect, and it was shown to be downregulated in a number of different cancers such as colorectal cancer (Dejmek et al, 2005a; Ying et al, 2008), neuroblastoma (Blanc et al, 2005), ductal breast cancer (Jonsson et al, 2002; Dejmek et al, 2005b) and leukaemias (Liang et al, 2003; Roman-Gomez et al, 2007; Ying et al, 2007). The gene discussed is WNT5A; the disease is colorectal cancer.