In stage IV CRC, high vs. low CB1 expression was correlated with a statistically significant poorer overall survival (P=0.033) that was independent of age, R0 resection, tumor differentiation and chemotherapy [hazard ratio (HR), 1.805; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.042–3.094; P=0.035]. This evidence concerns the gene CNR1 and colorectal carcinoma.