Extracellular matrix degradation and angiogenesis were investigated at the protein level by measuring the primary tumor lysate and serum levels of MMP-9 and VEGF in the 4T1 + RAW264.7 and the 4T1 inoculation group at 3 and 5 w p.i. Local MMP-9 and VEGF levels in the primary tumor lysates increased as tumor growth progressed from 3 to 5 w p.i. (Fig. 7a and b). This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and neoplasm.