APLN and metastatic neoplasm: APLNR expression was inversely correlated with histological grade of the tumour (Pearson’s r = −0.17, p = 0.027), pT-stage (Pearson’s r = −0.20, p = 0.009) and presence of metastatic disease (Pearson’s r = -0.20, p = 0.009), while APLN mRNA expression showed no significant correlation.