MMP9 and central nervous system cancer: In particular, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and 2 (MMP2) levels increase with tumor progression in gliomas, and are thus known as key enzymes for invasion.15 In a previous study, it was found that MALAT1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis by activating the ERK/MAPK pathway.16 Hence this study investigated the expression of MALAT1 in glioma specimens and its regulation of glioma cell proliferation and invasion through the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway and expression/activation of MMP.