Consistent with previous reports (Bauskin et al, 2006; Wallin et al, 2011a; Brown et al, 2003) GDF15 was observed to be upregulated in CRC tumor samples in comparison with normal tissue or epithelial cells by both TCGA COAD and scRNA epithelial transcriptomic analyzes respectively (Appendix Fig. S4A,B). The gene discussed is GDF15; the disease is neoplasm.