MMP9 and neoplasm: Neo-angiogenesis and the production of VEGF and IL-8 (both by tumor cells and by tumor-associated macrophages) are accompanied by the heightened secretion of MMPs which aid in endothelial cell and tumor cell escape [21], [22]; in many tumors, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are considered the principal enzymes in this process [23], [24].