CD44 and non-small cell lung carcinoma: Given their robust, directionally consistent modulation upon MMP12 inhibition in our experiments, we nominate a composite eight-gene PD panel for MMP12-targeted therapy in NSCLC: NFKBIA, PSME3, SPARCL1, CCL15, APOA1, ADAM9, and CD44, with MMP12 serving as the direct target anchor.