MMP9 and cancer: For example, TRIM14, TRIM27, TRIM29, and TRIM52 have been reported to mediate the overactivation of STAT3 and induce the expression of downstream target genes, such as MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinases 2), MMP-9, and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), thus promoting cancer cell migration and invasion [33,34,35,36].