Mechanistic analyses implicated tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3)-associated NF-κB signaling.<h4>Conclusions</h4>piR-37524 is an oncogenic piRNA in CRC that promotes progression via the TNFAIP3/NF-κB/EMT axis, serving as a potential pan-stage diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target. The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.