CXCL12 and colorectal carcinoma: While several studies reported that a higher CXCL12 expression in CRC is associated with a higher tumour stage, the prevalence of lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis [46, 47], and others reported that a high or strong expression of CXCL12 was associated with a better 5-year-disease-free survival [48].