Expression of matrix metalloproteinases in patients with malignant tumors

Diana Stančiūtė, Janina Didžiapetrienė, Jurgis Kadziauskas¹

Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University, ¹Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vilnius University, Lithuania

Key words: matrix metalloproteinases, extracellular matrix, tumor metastasis.

Summary. The cancer cells secrete proteolytic enzymes, which are important in the tumor spreading. The cells must cross basement membrane and extracellular matrix barriers in order to spread. The matrix metalloproteinases are a family of endopeptidases, which enzymatic activity depends on the presence of zinc ion in the catalytic domain. Matrix metalloproteinases hydrolyze extracellular matrix components such as collagen, laminin, fibronectin, proteoglycans and contribute to the spreading of tumor cells by eliminating the surrounding extracellular matrix and basement membrane barriers.

This review describes matrix metalloproteinases family classification and structure, their role under physiological conditions and induced proteolysis during pathological processes. There is a balance between proteolytic extracellular matrix degradation and proteolysis inhibition, but under pathological state (e. g. tumor development) the proteolysis becomes uncontrolled. We review tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases and synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, their perspective in cancer treatment; as well as different matrix metalloproteinases expression in patients with tumors and its prognostic significance during cancer progression.

Correspondence to D. Stančiūtė, Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University, Santariškių 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania. E-mail: dstanciute@hotmail.com

Received 2 June 2004, accepted 30 September 2004