Additionally, Smad3 expression was correlated positively with the monocyte maturation marker HLA-DR in CD11b+ myeloid cells derived from PBMC of CRC patients, confirming the crucial role of Smad3 in monocytic development (R = 0.625, n = 32) (Supplemental Fig. 7C, Table S2). This evidence concerns the gene SMAD3 and colorectal carcinoma.