Consistent with the results of the GEO analysis, the mRNA expression of CXCL1, IFGFBP3, MMP3, MMP11, PLAU, SERPINE1, SPP1 and VCAN was markedly upregulated but the mRNA expression of CDA was markedly downregulated in esophageal carcinoma tissues (P < 0.01) (Fig. 6). Here, MMP3 is linked to carcinoma of esophagus.