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Matrix metalloproteinase-2 as a target for head and neck cancer therapy

Ming-Hsien Chien1, Chiao-Wen Lin, Chao-Wen Cheng

  • 1Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|December 21, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) plays a key role in head and neck cancer progression and metastasis. New insights into MMP-2

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is a key enzyme in extracellular matrix degradation.
  • ECM degradation is critical for the invasion and metastasis of head and neck cancers.
  • Targeting MMP-2 offers a potential anticancer treatment strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms regulating MMP-2 in head and neck cancers.
  • To explore MMP-2's role in cell migration and tumor metastasis.
  • To summarize current MMP-2 inhibitors and their clinical efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of molecular mechanisms governing MMP-2.
  • Analysis of MMP-2's role in cell migration and metastasis.
  • Summary of MMP-2 gene polymorphisms, substrates, and interacting proteins.
  • Discussion of existing MMP-2 targeting drugs.

Main Results:

  • MMP-2 is implicated in head and neck cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis.
  • MMP-2's role in cell migration is crucial for tumor spread.
  • Previous MMP-2 inhibitors have shown limited clinical success.

Conclusions:

  • MMP-2 has been a long-standing drug target for cancer therapy.
  • The failure of current MMP-2 inhibitors may stem from incomplete understanding of its function.
  • New data on MMP-2 as a cell surface transducer could lead to novel inhibitor development.

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