Analysis of proteins upstream and downstream of CD44 revealed several molecules associated with EMT or metastasis signaling in colorectal cancer, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), AKT, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), p38 MAPK, activated protein 1 (AP1) and CTNNB1 (encoded protein: β-catenin). Here, MMP2 is linked to colorectal cancer.