As shown by our results, tumours formed by cells overexpressing RUNX1 showed stronger metastatic ability, and more tumours were formed in the spleen (Additional file 2: Figure S2C) in the nude mice cecum tumour orthotopic model transfected with RUNX1-overexpressing CRC HCT116-RUNX1 cells than in the control group transfected with the HCT116-vector (Fig. 2d). This evidence concerns the gene RUNX1 and neoplasm.