MMP9 and cancer: Indeed, gelatinase B/MMP-9 SNPs that augment gelatinase B/MMP-9 expression have been associated with increased risk of different forms of cancer (See Section Gelatinase B/MMP-9 SNPs on page 241), as have altered levels of miRs that bind miR binding sites within the 3'-UTR region of gelatinase B/MMP-9.