NTS and colorectal carcinoma: In CRC, peptide hormones are essential in regulating tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis, with several important peptide hormones such as ghrelin, neurotensin, parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) being linked to various stages of CRC development; their abnormal expression can lead to tumor proliferation and unfavorable prognosis [62].