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Matrix metalloproteinases at cancer tumor-host interface
Agnès Noël1, Maud Jost, Erik Maquoi
1Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie Expérimentale (CRCE), Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée (GIGA-R), University of Liege, Sart-Tilman, Liège, Belgium. agnes.noel@ulg.ac.be
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|July 13, 2007
Summary
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key regulators in the tumor microenvironment, influencing cancer growth and spread. This review highlights their roles in both cancer and host cells within the tumor ecosystem.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are crucial enzymes with diverse substrates and functions.
- They play central roles in regulating the complex tumor ecosystem, involving cancer cells and their microenvironment.
- MMPs are primarily produced by host cells like inflammatory cells, endothelial cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts in most cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the emerging roles and features of MMPs in cancer cells.
- To discuss the involvement of MMPs produced by host cells in cancer progression.
- To highlight the significance of MMPs in cancer growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of in vitro studies.
- Literature review of in vivo studies.
- Synthesis of recent data on MMP functions in cancer.
Main Results:
- MMPs are implicated in multiple processes controlling cancer growth.
- MMPs are critical for angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) in tumors.
- MMPs contribute significantly to metastatic dissemination of cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- MMPs are essential regulators within the tumor ecosystem.
- Understanding MMP functions in both cancer and host cells is vital for cancer research.
- Emerging data underscore the importance of MMPs in cancer progression and metastasis.
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