Specifically, MMP-2 selective MMP-2 inhibitor SB-3CT or siRNA-mediated knockdown of MMP-2 in colon cancer cell lines resulted in a significant reduction in PD-L1 expression, a crucial immune checkpoint protein, suggesting a regulatory axis between MMP-2 and PD-L1 in COAD. The gene discussed is CD274; the disease is malignant colon neoplasm.