MMP9 and carcinoma of esophagus: In conclusion, we found that an LCN2/LOXL2/MMP9 ternary complex activated the FAK/AKT/GSK3β signalling pathway, degraded extracellular matrix components, such as FN and collagen IV, remodelled the cytoskeleton, and enhanced the expression of profilin 1 and SPOCK1 to promote the migration and invasion of oesophageal cancer cells, all of which ultimately led to malignant progression of oesophageal cancer.