IL-12 treatment inhibited lung tumor growth, resulting in the long-term survival of lung cancer-bearing mice. Further examination revealed that IL-12 rapidly activated NK cells to secrete IFN-γ, resulting in the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and MMP-9 transcript level decreased MMP-9/TIM modulation in the tumor microenvironment after 14 days of IL-12 therapy produce reversible antitumoral effects. The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is lung carcinoma.