MDK and cancer: Moreover, MDK binding to receptors such as the Notch2, LRP1/integrin, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) receptors activates Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (JAK/STAT) and STAT3 [22] as well as MAPK pathways, resulting in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that defines cancer progression and leads to metastasis [18,20].