Matrix metalloproteinases as new targets for cancer metastasis

Cancer is one of major health problems worldwide. These diseases are associated with specific properties such as angiogenic and metastatic potential. Metastasis is one of important properties of tumor cells which is depended on the ability of tumor cells to degrade the basement membrane. It has been showed that basement membrane composed of networks of collagens glycoproteins, and proteoglycans. Degradation of these factors could lead to metastasis in tumor cells. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is known as zinc-dependent proteases which are able to degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). It has been showed various types of MMPs (i.e. MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-7 and MMP-1) are associated with cancer metastasis and exert their effects via targeting various cellular and molecular pathways such as TGF-β, EGFR, and PARs. Moreover, these proteins are able to regulate various signaling pathways involved in cell growth, inflammation, or angiogenesis. Therefore, the effective roles of MMPs in various processes involved in cancer such as metastasis led to utilization of them as suitable candidates for cancer therapy