As expected, FB_COMP, FB_SERPINE1 and FB_COL27A1 all showed active EMT, as illustrated by high metalloprotease (MMP2, MMP14, MMP11) and collagen (COL10A1, COL11A1, COL5A1, COL1A1, COL27A1) expression, enabling these cells to degrade the extracellular matrix and escape from the primary tumour site to metastasise (Fig. 4C). Here, MMP11 is linked to neoplasm.