Abstract: The fundamental processes of driving the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer（CRC）is the accumulation of a variety of genetic changes，but its regulation mechanism has not been fully explained. Over the past decades，major advances have been made in our understanding of cancer epigenetics，particularly regarding microRNA（miRNA），aberrant DNA methylation and alterations in histone modification states. Assessment of CRC has revealed that virtually all CRCs have altered miRNA expression and aberrantly methylated genes. As with gene mutations in the cancer genome, these epigenetic alterations have a functional role in CRC. The epigenetic alterations in CRC have developed as clinical biomarkers for diagnostic，prognostic and therapeutic applications. Progress in this area suggests that these epigenetic alterations will be commonly used in the near future to direct the prevention and treatment of CRC.