MMP9 and neoplasm: Also, it was found that “gene expression profile” of the microenvironmental cells, the phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), the expression of matricellular proteins like SPARC and fibronectin, the overexpression of several types of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) like MMP-2 and MMP-9, or the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may lead to a favorable or adverse outcome.