We observed a reverse correlation between the mRNA expression levels of miR-204 and HMGA2 by performing Spearman's correlation test, r=−0.5882 (P<0.0001) (Fig. 2C), which confirmed that downregulation of miR-204 expression was clearly linked with upregulation of HMGA2 expression at the level of transcription in CRC tissues. This evidence concerns the gene HMGA2 and colorectal carcinoma.