MMP9 and neoplasm: As shown in Figure 1C, the protein expressions of MMP2 and MMP9, the two important molecules involved in tumor invasion 31, 32 in AEG‐1 over expression group, were significantly increased, while expressions of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin, important regulatory markers for epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) recognized crucial event in invasion and metastasis 32, considerably decreased compared with negative control group.