Induced expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2/9 (MMP-2/9) and concomitant activation of FAK/AKT signaling pathway resulting from over-expression of SphK1 facilitates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increases migration capacity of human colon cancer cells HT29, while suppression of SphK1 reduces EMT and migratory potential and decreases the expression of p-FAK, p-AKT and MMP2/9 [57]. Here, MMP2 is linked to colonic neoplasm.