ABSTRACT
Controlled remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for growth, invasion, and metastasis of malignant tumors. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of secreted zinc-dependent endopeptidases collectively capable of degrading ECM components, and there is considerable amount of evidence that they play an important role at different steps of malignant tumor growth. Recent observations also suggest that MMPs play a role in cancer cell survival. In this chapter we discuss the role of MMPs and their inhibitors in tumor cell invasion, as a basis for prognostication and targeted therapeutic intervention.
