Ectopic expression of CRY1 and CRY2 decreased apoptosis/preapoptosis in CaCo2, HT29 and SW480 cells, increased proliferation rate and percentage of cells in S phase in the four colon cancer cell lines examined, corroborating the evidence of poorer prognosis observed in CRC patients showing higher expression of cryptochrome genes in their tumour tissues. The gene discussed is CRY1; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.