title: [Role of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in tumors].
abstract: Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in different physiological and pathological processes. They regulate several signaling pathways in cell growth, inflammation and angiogenesis. The MMPs modulate the complex tumor microenvironment and are involved in the early stages of carcinogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasic processes. MMPs participate in the processing of bioactive molecules such as cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Their substrates are the extracellular matrix proteins and endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs) regulate their functions. The accurate balance between these two molecules, MMPs and TIMPs, is critical for maintaining homeostasis. Due to their role in cancer biology, MMPs are potential targets for future therapeutic strategies of this malignant disease.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Patología B, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coronato
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laguens
authors.forename: Vanda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Girolamo
mesh_terms: D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000502:physiology*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D045726:Metalloproteases