Current mechanistic insights into the roles of matrix metalloproteinases in tumour invasion and metastasis

The purpose of this review is to highlight the recent mechanistic developments elucidating the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in tumour invasion and metastasis. The ability of tumour cells to invade, migrate, and subsequently metastasize is a fundamental characteristic of cancer. Tumour in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of pathology 2015-11, Vol.237 (3), p.273-281
Main Authors: Brown, Gordon T, Murray, Graeme I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Movement
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
extracellular matrix
Extracellular Matrix - metabolism
Humans
matrix metalloproteinase
Matrix Metalloproteinases - metabolism
metastasis
microenvironment
Neoplasm Invasiveness
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms - enzymology
Neoplasms - pathology
Podosomes - enzymology
protease
Signal Transduction
Tumor Microenvironment
tumour invasion
tumour progression
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Summary:The purpose of this review is to highlight the recent mechanistic developments elucidating the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in tumour invasion and metastasis. The ability of tumour cells to invade, migrate, and subsequently metastasize is a fundamental characteristic of cancer. Tumour invasion and metastasis are increasingly being characterized by the dynamic relationship between cancer cells and their microenvironment and developing a greater understanding of these basic pathological mechanisms is crucial. While MMPs have been strongly implicated in these processes as a result of extensive circumstantial evidence – for example, increased expression of individual MMPs in tumours and association of specific MMPs with prognosis – the underpinning mechanisms are only now being elucidated. Recent studies are now providing a mechanistic basis, highlighting and reinforcing the catalytic and non‐catalytic roles of specific MMPs as key players in tumour invasion and metastasis. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:0022-3417
1096-9896
DOI:10.1002/path.4586