These tumor-bearing Her2t/w/Adamts18−/− mice also developed metastases in the liver (6 of 32, ~ 19%, P = 0.0219), kidney (5 of 32, ~ 16%, P = 0.0457), and peritoneal cavity (3 of 32, ~ 10%, P = 0.198) when compared with Her2t/w/Adamts18+/+ mice (Additional file 1: Fig. S3). This evidence concerns the gene ADAMTS18 and neoplasm.