MMP9 and neoplasm: Recent studies have shown an essential role of MMP9 in tumour progression of many solid tumours including PDAC through modulating stromal tumour microenvironment promoting angiogenesis, metastasis, EMT and drug resistance.9, 10, 18, 25, 33 Given the critical role of tumour stroma in PDAC progression, metastasis and therapy resistance, it is sensible to explore combination approaches of promising cytotoxic and antistromal components to accomplish superior therapy benefits.