TGFB1 and neoplasm: However, while <i>ECM1</i> showed no association with tumour stage (<i>p</i> = 0.773), high <i>TGFB1</i> expression showed a significant association with more advanced stage presented as advanced T3 stage compared to patients with low <i>TGFB1</i> mRNA expression (<i>p</i> < 0.001).