Moreover, CHI3L1 exerts direct effects on SW480, a human colorectal cancer cell line, by activating the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, consequently upregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines such as TNFα, IL-8, and CCL2 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 2). Here, CCL2 is linked to colorectal cancer.