MMP12 and neoplasm: We then assessed MMPs and TIMP3 expression in tumors and adjacent non-tumor colon tissue in CRC patients, MMP12 (P = 0.001, Fig. 2e), MMP9 (P = 0.0006, Fig. 3f) and TIMP3 (P = 0.0421, Fig. 2g) mRNA expression was significantly increased in tumors tissue compared to adjacent non-tumor tissue from CRC patients.