Among these genes, eleven genes, AK2, BID, CDC25A, EIF4A2, HSPB1, ITGB1, MAP4K4, MMP12, PTGES3, RHOC, and TERF2IP, were identified as the best signature associated with recurrence-free survival of CRC in multiple patient cohorts, as validated by RT-PCR analysis. The gene discussed is AK2; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.