NLRP3 and malignant colon neoplasm: For instance, the activation of NOD1 in tumor cells enhances cell adhesion functions through p38 MAPK, promoting the interaction of circulating tumor cells with the extracellular matrix and thus facilitating metastasis.455 In oral squamous cell carcinoma, activation of NLRP3 downregulates the epithelial adhesion marker E-cadherin and upregulates mesenchymal markers such as vimentin and N-cadherin.456 Intriguingly, in colon cancer, upregulation of NLRP3 could promote EMT in an inflammasome-independent manner.