CXCL5 and colorectal carcinoma: To validate the microarray results, we conducted real-time PCR to quantify the expression levels of 14 key genes from the microarray and PPI, including 6 genes (Cxcl5, Cxcr2, Tnfsf9, Tnfrsf11b, Cxcr5, and Inhbb) associated with CRC progression and enriched in the cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions pathway, 6 novel DEGs associated with epithelial damage repair remodeling and metabolic regulation, and 2 potential DEGs (Orc2, and Orc5) involved in the regulation of cell cycle and DNA replication.