Even though components of the TGFβ signaling pathway are often inactivated during CRC progression (Markowitz et al, 1995; Fleming et al, 2013), it has been shown that active TGFβ signaling—judged by phosphorylation of the downstream components SMAD2/3 (phospho‐SMAD2/3)—can be found in colorectal carcinomas (Brunen et al, 2013). The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.