VCAN and cancer: The mRNA levels that were significantly upregulated in the stromal compartment when compared to cancer compartment include MMP2, MMP3, MMP11 and MMP13, all involved in tissue remodelling and cell invasion (Figure 2D(i)), the ECM genes FN1, VCAN, and COL1A1, all associated with poor prognosis (Figure 2D(ii)), and chemokines and cytokines, Serpin E1, TGFβ1 and CXCL12, which alter immune cell function and promote tumour growth (Figure 2D(iii)).