Hence, SPATS2 is a key downstream target of SNHG5. Interestingly, we find that the expression levels of SNHG5 and SPATS2 display a significant negative correlation in adenomas and xenograft tumours following SNHG5 knockdown, suggesting a contribution of the SNHG5–SPATS2 axis to tumorigenic events in CRC. Here, SPATS2 is linked to adenoma.