Stool matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-9, hemoglobin, Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein-S (PGRP-S), haptoglobin, and fibrinogen emerged as being most discriminatory for distinguishing CRC from HCs (area under the curve, 0.91-0.95), across cohorts and ethnicities, with several of these being significantly higher in more advanced stages of CRC. Here, MMP9 is linked to colorectal carcinoma.