TIMP1 and malignant colon neoplasm: Besides, the paradoxical report of TIMP1 as an inhibitor of MMPs and poor prognosis marker of colon cancer as well, could be explained by its MMP independent function, which suggests the elevation of TIMP1 in colon cancer is not a feedback regulation of the upregulation of MMP, but is a vitally important and self-governed effect in colon cancer.