Collagen I, PDGFR-β and α-SMA have been known as molecular markers of CAFs, and in advanced CRC, their expression varies in CAFs and is significantly associated with vessel markers CD31 and CD34, indicating that individual CAFs may have different expression patterns and effects on venous invasion of advanced CRC (Nishishita et al., 2018). Here, CD34 is linked to colorectal carcinoma.