title: Matrix metalloproteinases and gut toxicity following cytotoxic cancer therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chemotherapy is an effective anticancer treatment; however, it induces mucositis in a wide range of patients. This condition is characterized by pain and ulceration, vomiting, bloating and diarrhea, depending on the area of the alimentary tract affected. Although treatment is available for a small subset of patients suffering from mucositis, the majority rely on pain relief as their only treatment option. Much progress has been made in recent years into understanding the pathobiology underlying the development of mucositis and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated as being key mediators. The purpose of this review was to evaluate recent literature implicating MMPs in mucositis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMPs are well known for their roles in induction of inflammation and contribution to tissue injury. Recent literature provides a role for MMPs in mucositis development possibly through inflammatory pathways, alterations in extracellular matrix composition, adhesion molecules and tight junctions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Better understanding of the precise roles of MMPs is now required in order to target appropriate treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Noor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Dasooqi
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000276:immunology*; D052016:Mucositis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases