Components of this system including the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), its receptor uPAR and the uPA inhibitor (PAI-1), have been shown to be elevated in tumour tissue and blood from cancer patients including patients with CRC (Ganesh et al, 1994, 1996; Pedersen et al, 1994; Stephens et al, 1999; Mustjoki et al, 2000; Riisbro et al, 2002; Hoyer-Hansen and Lund, 2007). The gene discussed is PLAU; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.