The down‐regulation of miR‐148a expression activates the ERK signalling pathway to increase HIF‐1α and VEGF expression.9 Moreover, hypoxia is a potential stimulator of VEGF expression and HIF‐1 may regulate the hypoxic expression of VEGF in colon cancer.10 We previously demonstrated an association between miR‐148a down‐regulation and early relapse in patients with CRC; this finding indicated that miR‐148a is a potential biomarker for identifying high‐risk patients with CRC after curative resection.11 The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is malignant colon neoplasm.