Cohort 2 samples were subjected to analysis of ezrin mRNA expression levels, which were significantly higher in CRC (N = 170) than in normal colonic mucosa (N = 66; P < 0.0001; Figure 2E) and significantly higher in stage IV CRC than in stage I or II CRC (P = 0.0317 and P = 0.0302, respectively; Figure 2F). Here, EZR is linked to colorectal carcinoma.