Compared with that in the si-NC group, si-ADAM17 significantly reversed the EMT-HCT116 exosome-induced decrease in VE-cadherin expression at the invasive front of CRC tumors (Fig. 5b, c); moreover, si-ADAM17 prevented the increase in the number of CTCs (Fig. 5c) and the increased proportion of mice with both lung and liver metastasis, otherwise induced by EMT-HCT116 exosomes (Fig. S6a). The gene discussed is ADAM17; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.