VEGF as well as MMP-9 and Invasion as well as Metastasis of Gastric Cancer

The invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer depen d on the angiogenesi s of tumorous stroma and the degradation of extracellular matrix.Vascular endot helial growth factor(VEGF)is one of the most powerful pro-angiogenesis factor at present,which can participate in each link of the angiogenesis directly or indirectly.Matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)is one protease which have i ntimate correlation with invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer,which can res ult in invasion and metastasis by degrading extracellular matrix.This article reviews VEGF and MMP-9 about their main biological effects and relationships with tumor invasion and metastasis(especially with gastric cancer)as well as possible mechanism.