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Review
. 2021 Nov 19;22(22):12472.
doi: 10.3390/ijms222212472.

Metalloproteinases in Endometrial Cancer-Are They Worth Measuring?

Kaja Michalczyk  1 , Aneta Cymbaluk-Płoska  1
Affiliations
Review

Metalloproteinases in Endometrial Cancer-Are They Worth Measuring?

Kaja Michalczyk et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies, yet the molecular mechanisms that lead to tumor development and progression are still not fully established. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of enzymes that play an important role in carcinogenesis. They are proteases involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds the tumor and the affected tissue allows cell detachment from the primary tumor causing local invasion and metastasis formation. Recent investigations demonstrate significantly increased metalloproteinase and metalloproteinase inhibitor levels in patients with endometrial cancer compared to those with normal endometrium. In this review, we aim to show their clinical significance and possible use in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with endometrial cancer. We have critically summarized and reviewed the research on the role of MMPs in endometrial cancer.

Keywords: MMP; TIMP; cancer; endometrial cancer; metalloproteinases.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The division of metalloproteinases based on substrate specificity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Angiogenesis and cancer metastasis. (Cytokines and growth factors secreted by the cancer cells stimulate endothelial cells to produce and activate MMPs, disrupting ECM and allowing the formation of new blood vessels.).
Figure 3
Figure 3
The impact of increased metalloproteinase level on endometrial cancer.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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