These activated CAFs in turn promote tumor progression by secreting angiogenetic cytokines and EMT regulators, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP9, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) [89]. Here, MMP2 is linked to neoplasm.