Clinical studies have reported a decrease in TSP1 protein expression in human colorectal carcinomas.(60,61) When TSP1−/− mice were crossed with ApcMin+/, higher incidence in adenomas and carcinomas were observed.(62) Interestingly, no differences in vascular density were found between these mice and their littermates, suggesting TGFβ1 activation as the possible mechanism. The gene discussed is THBS1; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.