To determine whether TSPs influence colon cancer progression, we explored the co-expression between TSPs and MMP, TIMP, TPA and UPA. The results showed that TSPs was highly correlated with TIMP, MMP, TPA and UPA (especially THBS2 and COMP), and the correlation was essentially positive (Fig.S3C). The gene discussed is TIMP1; the disease is malignant colon neoplasm.