MMP2 and gastric cancer: MMP2 is a functional protein in the ECM that degrades other ECM and extracellular proteins.[29] MMP2 is also an ECM‐associated protein linked to GC development.[30] In GC, the expression levels of MMP2 are higher than those of other proteins from the same family.[31] Our study identified a positive association between ECM protein deposition and the extensive level of endogenous free MMP2.