TIMP1 and malignant colon neoplasm: Although TIMP1 could inhibit MMP facilitated breakdown of the ECM and was thought to be metastasis inhibitor [30], we found that TIMP1 could promote colon cancer invasion and metastasis by development of EMT transcription factors such as SLUG, leading to downregulation of epithelial marker E-cadherin and upregulation of mesenchymal marker fibronectins.