One possible explanation is that although MT1-MMP plays a central role in tumor cell invasion in a variety of malignancies, its mode of action is dependent on the interaction with other members of the metalloproteinase family as well as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs); accordingly, hierarchical cluster analysis including IHC sores for MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-13, MT1-MMP, and MT2-MMP as well as TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3 successfully identified a subgroup of stage III CRCs with poor prognosis in a previous study [39]. Here, MMP3 is linked to neoplasm.