MMP9 and neoplasm: Moreover, target genes of the NF-κB and TGFβ-Smad signaling pathways, such as Serpin family H member 1 (SERPINH1), Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), Tenascin C (TNC) and C-C motif chemokine 2 (CCL2) enhance hematogenous tumor metastasis by different mechanisms (Labelle et al., 2011; Kim et al., 2019; Xiong F. et al., 2020).