TIMP-1 levels are significantly higher in serum from CRC patients versus colorectal adenoma patients and controls [37], and a recent meta-analysis of 9 published studies, comprising 819 CRC patients and 1067 healthy controls, showed that circulating levels of TIMP-1 have significant clinical value with moderately high sensitivity and specificity in identifying CRC patients [55]. Here, TIMP1 is linked to colorectal adenoma.