MMP9 and colonic neoplasm: AKT stimulates cell invasiveness by increasing the production of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and regulating the expression of proteins involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) 12, 13 Previous studies have shown that PI3K/AKT overactivation can exacerbate the symptoms of glioma, colon cancer, and ovarian cancer 14.