CRP and neoplasm: Our results regarding the differences in blood levels of CRP, sCD26 and TIMP-1 among CRC patients vs neoplasm-free participants are in line with those of several previous studies (Holten-Andersen et al, 1999; Cordero et al, 2000; Holten-Andersen et al, 2002; Holten-Andersen et al, 2004; Nikiteas et al, 2005; De Chiara et al, 2010; Kwon et al, 2010; Shimwell et al, 2010).