MMP9 and neoplasm: They can increase DNA mutations via the release of reactive oxygen species; facilitate cancer cell proliferation via the secretion of cytokines and chemokines; promote vascularization via the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor; enhance tumor cell invasiveness and metastasis by secreting proteases, elastase and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9); and suppress effective antitumor immunity of CD8+ T cells via the release of nitric oxide synthase and arginase [29].