MMP9 and neoplasm: Research indicates that BLCA-1 is closely associated with inflammatory cytokines, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), and interleukin-8 (IL-8), all of which play a role in tumor progression and angiogenesis 15, 16.