Abnormal ZEB1-AS1 expression is associated with CRC. (a) Expression of ZEB1-AS1 in 65 CRC tissue samples. The expression of ZEB1-AS1 was significantly elevated in the CRC tissues compared with that in the adjacent non-tumor tissues. Statistical differences were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (*P < 0.01). (b) RT-qPCR analysis was used to examine ZEB1-AS1 expression levels in various CRC cell lines (RKO, Caco2, DLD1, HCT116, LOVO and SW480) and the HEK293T cell line (mean ± SD, n = 6; *P < 0.05 vs 293T).