We have previously observed that miR-148a inhibits tumorigenesis and reduces the likelihood of early CRC recurrence [18], improves the response to chemoradiation and increases apoptosis by directly targeting c-Met in patients with rectal cancer [19], indirectly inhibits VEGF secretion by targeting HIF-1α [7], and exhibits the apoptotic effect of alterations of myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) expression on CRC [20]. This evidence concerns the gene MCL1 and rectal cancer.