Zhao et al. demonstrated that Xiaotan Tongfu (XTTF) decoction inhibited the process of hepatic metastasis in CRC by up-regulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and down-regulating IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) secretion. Here, IGFBP3 is linked to colorectal carcinoma.