MMP2 and neoplasm: In order to promote tumor growth and survival, HIF-1α activation increases the expression of many pro-angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR), angiopoietins (ANG-1 and ANG-2), and metalloproteinases such as MMP-2 and MMP-9, which support the vascular remodeling of the tumor invasiveness [10].