IFN-α response pathway was the most perturbed gene set with 61 leading edge genes and a NES of 3.21 (Supplementary Fig. 5i) and the IFN response gene (Ifitm1) was the highest ranked gene, which has been proposed as a marker of advanced clinical stage and poor survival in CRC patients39. Here, IFNA1 is linked to colorectal carcinoma.