In addition, MALAT1, ZFAS1 and SNHG17 have been identified as diagnostic biomarker specific to colon cancer, the metastasis of colon and rectal cancer, and the metastasis of colon cancer, respectively, therefore the tumor/stage-specific roles of MALAT1, ZFAS1 and SNHG17 in colon and rectal cancers need further investigation. This evidence concerns the gene MALAT1 and rectal cancer.