The spheroids also displayed heightened EMT activity, activation of growth factor signaling, and expression of tumor progression markers (Snail, Slug, Twist, Zeb1, Zeb2, vimentin, N-cadherin, MMP2, MMP9, HGF, IGF1, IGF2, VEGFA, TGFβ, c-Met, IGF1R, IGF2R, TGFβR, Notch1, and Notch2), together with increased ECM and fibrosis-related molecules (COL1A1, COL4A1, COL6A3, fibronectin, and LAMC1). Here, MMP9 is linked to neoplasm.