The mRNA levels of matriptase and HAI-1 were measured in colon tissue samples from healthy control individuals (n = 10) and in healthy and affected tissue from individuals with mild/moderate dysplasia (n = 21), with severe dysplasia (n = 15) and with colorectal cancer (n = 9) by real-time RT-PCR. The gene discussed is SPINT1; the disease is colorectal cancer.