As a proof of concept, we investigated the potential tumor suppressive function of the transcriptional repressor ZBTB18 (also known as ZNF238 or RP58; Additional file 1: Figs. S1a, S4a, S6a and Table S2), which belongs to the zinc finger C2H2 family, and whose role in colorectal cancer progression has not been previously addressed. The gene discussed is ZBTB18; the disease is colorectal cancer.