Adrenomedullin production is increased in colorectal adenocarcinomas; its relation to matrix metalloproteinase-9

► Gene expression and peptide concentration of adrenomedullin (AM) were highly expressed in colorectal cancer tissues. ► The level of preproAM mRNA was positively correlated with MMP-9, but not with VEGF-A. ► Immunoreactivity of AM was present in cancer cells, while MMP-9 localized in stroma cells surrounding the tumors.