We found that the EDEM3 expression in epithelial cells (marked by KRT18, EPCAM, KRT8) was significantly higher in tumour tissues with a large proportion of CAFs (marked by COL1A1, COL1A2, COL6A1, COL6A2) (Figure 4A–D) in the GSE188711 CRC dataset.24 Here, KRT18 is linked to colorectal carcinoma.