MMP9 and neoplasm: When the phosphorylation of STAT3 is reduced, its translocation to the nucleus is reduced, which decreases the transcriptional regulation of Bcl-2, c-Myc, and MMP9. While Bcl-2 is an anti apoptoicprotein and provides resistance to chemotherapy (44) and c-Myc acts as a master regulator of many oncogenic pathways (45) regulating cell growth, differentiation, and malignant transformation, MMP-9 can cleave many extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and can regulate ECM remodeling associated with tumor invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis (46).