As miR-196a-1 belongs to the miR-196 gene family, and according to the fact that no study has been conducted on the function of miR-196a-1 in colorectal cancer, the purpose of the current investigation was to determine the expression levels of miR-196a-1 and its target gene, HOXD8, in tissues and plasma samples of patients with CRC. The gene discussed is HOXD8; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.