APAF1 and colorectal carcinoma: miR-23a was demonstrated to possess apoptosis resistance function in CRC by targeting APAF1. Our work highlights the importance of further investigation using animal models and randomized clinical studies to further elucidate the regulative mechanism underlying the miR-23a/APAF1 interaction, as well as other miRNAs that might be involved in the apoptotic regulation of CRC.