title: The gelatinases, their activators and inhibitors in the progression of colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes which are reported to play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of a number of human cancers. The gelatinase subfamily has substrate specificity for type IV collagen, the principal component of human epithelial basement membrane. They are over-expressed in colorectal tumour tissues. The relatively recent discovery of a family of membrane-associated MMPs, some of which function as activators of MMP-2, represents an important development relevant to this field.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review was performed on the PubMed and Medline databases for English language publications relating to the gelatinases and their activators and inhibitors in colorectal cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is evidence to support the up-regulation and involvement of the gelatinases in the progression of colorectal cancer. The active MMP-2 species appears particularly closely related to the malignant phenotype. There has been little published on the role of the recently discovered membrane-associated MMPs in colorectal cancer. Studies in other cancers suggest these may play an important role in the activation of MMP-2 in vivo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gelatinases play an important role in the progression of colorectal cancer. More work is required to understand the mechanisms underlying the up-regulation of gelatinolytic activity in these tumours. Such work could lead to the development of novel new therapies for the improved treatment of this disease in future years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK.
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.lastname: Hemingway
authors.lastname: Crowther
authors.lastname: Goodall
authors.lastname: Thompson