The present invention relates compositions and methods for
microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling of
colorectal cancer. In particular, the invention relates to a diagnostic kit of molecular markers for identifying one or more mammalian target cells exhibiting or having a predisposition to develop
colorectal cancer, the kit comprising a plurality of
nucleic acid molecules, each
nucleic acid molecule encoding a miRNA sequence, wherein one or more of the plurality of
nucleic acid molecules are differentially expressed in the target cells and in one or more control cells, and wherein the one or more differentially expressed nucleic acid molecules together represent a nucleic acid
expression signature that is indicative for the presence of or the predisposition to develop
colorectal cancer. The invention further relates to corresponding methods using such nucleic acid expression signatures for identifying one or more mammalian target cells exhibiting or having a predisposition to develop colorectal
cancer as well as for preventing or treating such a condition. Finally, the invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and / or treatment of colorectal
cancer.