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.