HOXA11‐AS overexpression/know down studies further demonstrated that high expression of HOXA11‐AS induced cell migration and invasion in cervical cancer cells (HeLa) via the upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‐2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9), and the modification of EMT‐related genes (decreased E‐cadherin, increased β‐catenin and increased vimentin expression). The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is cervical carcinoma.