MMP-9 also plays an important role in promoting angiogenesis within malignant tumors by regulating the expression of VEGF and promoting the specific binding of VEGF to its receptor to activate angiogenesis as well as by degrading the extracellular matrix around the vascular endothelial cells to allow endothelial cells to sprout and form intertumor neovascularization [7]. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is cancer.