SDC4 and colorectal carcinoma: In summary, our postulation posits that SMCs and TEXs leverage the interaction between ligand-receptor pairs, such as ANGPTL4-SDC1/SDC4 and MIF-(CD74+CD44), in cell communication to activate downstream transcription factors, thereby participating in the regulation of the EMT program within the context of CRC and precipitating the emergence of LM.