For example, a decrease in NEU activity was identified as a significant contributor to cancer progression by Miyagi et al.,132 who also reported in their study on HT-29 colon cancer cells that NEU1 overexpression resulted in a significant reduction in liver metastasis.132 The proposed mechanism for reduced metastasis involves a decrease in β4-integrin sialylation, which thereby suppresses cell migration, invasion and adhesion.133 Conversely, NEU1 and NEU4 downregulation have been reported to facilitate metastasis in colorectal cancers.132,134. This evidence concerns the gene NEU1 and cancer.