CASP9 and cancer: This combinatory treatment significantly downregulates the mRNA and protein expressions of various key molecules involved in cancer progression, including COX-2, VEGF, MMP1, MMP2, MMP9, NF-κB, anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL), procollagen I, collagen I, collagen III and CTGF, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) and iNOS, while upregulating the expression of anti-cancer genes (TIMPs—TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, IκB-α, p53, p21, caspases—caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, Bax).