Tumor-associated genes which were most overexpressed in MTX vs. non-MTX primary tumors, included genes involved in cell adhesion, extracellular matrix (ECM) and/or tissue remodeling processes (e.g. the SPP1, SFRP4, COMP genes), and progression and migration of tumor cells (also known to be typically altered in sCRC, such as the SRPX2, SALL4 genes and the non-coding FER1L4 and miR-21 genes). Here, SALL4 is linked to neoplasm.