For example, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9 are direct or indirect target genes of FoxO3a in endothelial as well as cancer cells,48, 49, 50 and FoxO4 upregulated MMP9 expression in smooth muscle cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) by an indirect mechanism.51 This evidence concerns the gene FOXO3 and cancer.