As expected, the expression of both ZEB1 and ZEB2 were significantly downregulated in metastatic liver tissues compared to primary CRC tissues (P = 0.001, P = 0.02 respectively; Fig. 4A), while E-cadherin was significantly upregulated in metastatic liver tissues versus primary CRC tissues (P = 0.002; Fig. 4A). The gene discussed is ZEB1; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.