HOXA cluster antisense RNA 2 (HOXA-AS2) is a 1048-bp lncRNA that serves as an apoptosis repressor in all-trans retinoic acid-treated NB4 promyelocytic leukemia cells.25 In previous studies, we also demonstrated that HOXA-AS2 promotes gastric cancer cells proliferation by epigenetically silencing p21, PLK3 and DDIT3 expression.26 However, little is known concerning its potential role in CRC development and progression. The gene discussed is HOXA-AS2; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.