TGFBR1 and colorectal carcinoma: On the basis of previous evidence that pointed towards the importance of downstream signalling elements of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway in CRC (Wood et al, 2007), and the known linkage peak for familial CRC in 9q22–31 where TGFBR1 is located (Wiesner et al, 2003; Kemp et al, 2006; Skoglund et al, 2006), we undertook the task of studying the role of TGFBR1 in CRC predisposition.