The importance of metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in the neoplastic process

Katarzyna Zygmunt
Lucyna Zygmunt
Uniwersytet Rzeszowski, Pozawydziałowy Zamiejscowy Instytut Biotechnologii Stosowanej i Nauk Podstawowych, Rzeszów, Polska
Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy, Wydział Medycyny Weterynaryjnej, Lublin, Polska

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes. They have the ability to degrade the extracellular matrix. They also participate in many physiological processes however, but the most important functions of enzymes are related to the pathogenesis of cancer. Research have confirmed that imbalance between the MMPs and TIMPs has significant influence on tumor growth. Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors have influence on growth, migration and invasion tumor cells. They are also responsible for the formation of distant metastases. This has been demonstrated on the basis of the analysis concentration of MMPs and TIMPs in the plasma of patients with gliomas, lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and gastrointestinal cancers. Understanding the mechanisms of action matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors may have a significant impact on new treatments. Research of MMPs and TIMPs are extremely important because they create opportunity to find effective way to battle with cancer. The present study aimed at discussing basic properties of MMPs and TIMPs in cancers progression: colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and gliomas.

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