MMP9 and colonic neoplasm: Our results demonstrate the following: (1) irbesartan inhibits AOM/DSS-induced colitis, fibrosis and tumourigenesis; (2) this inhibition is associated with a decreased number of CCR2+ monocyte-derived cells, including fibrocytes, infiltrated into the inflamed colon and a reduced expression of Mcp1, Tnfa, Col1a1, Timp1 and Mmp9 in the colon and (3) irbesartan inhibits the formation of colon tumours even when administered after multiple tumours have developed.