title: Matrix metalloproteinases in tumor invasion.
abstract: Controlled degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for the growth, invasion, and metastasis of malignant tumors, and for tumor-induced angiogenesis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent neutral endopeptidases collectively capable of degrading essentially all ECM components and they apparently play an important role in all these aspects of tumor development. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that MMPs also play a role in tumor cell survival. In this review, we discuss the current concept concerning the role of MMPs and their inhibitors in tumor invasion, as a basis for prognosis and targeted therapeutic intervention in cancer.
authors.affiliation: Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahonen
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Kähäri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D017364:Collagenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D017364:Collagenases; D018093:Gelatinases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3