SPINK1 and colorectal cancer: Studies have shown that SPINK1 is highly expressed in prostate cancer,17 colorectal cancer,18 liver cancer,19 and other tumor tissues,20 and promotes tumors occurrence and development by activating PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, and other signaling pathways.21SPINK7 is elevated in normal adult esophageal tissue, but decreased or lost in esophageal and paracancerous tissues.