The possible role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in cancer, e.g. acute leukemia

• Published in: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 87 - 100
• Main Authors: Klein, G, Vellenga, E, Fraaije, M.W, Kamps, W.A, de Bont, E.S.J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-05-2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Acute myeloid leukemia; Angiogenesis; Biological and medical sciences; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid - drug therapy; Leukemia, Myeloid - enzymology; Leukemia, Myeloid - pathology; Matrix metalloproteinase; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - chemistry; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - chemistry; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; Medical sciences; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - enzymology; Neoplasms - pathology; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma - drug therapy; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma - enzymology; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma - pathology; Angiogenesis; Matrix metalloproteinase; Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Acute myeloid leukemia; Peptidases; Hematology; Enzyme; Acute leukemia; Hydrolases; Metalloendopeptidases; EC 3.4.24.24; Malignant tumor; Gelatinase B; Gelatinase A
• ISSN: 1040-8428; 1879-0461
• DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2003.09.001

In the past decades, a lot of effort has been put in identifying the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in cancer. The main role of MMPs in angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis is degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and release and/or activation of growth factors through their degradative activity. The degradative activity finally results in cancer progression. MMP-inhibitors (MMPIs) have already been designed and tested, based on the degradative role of MMPs in cancer progression. First clinical trials with MMPIs have been performed with disappointing results, showing that in order to use MMP-inhibition the mechanisms underlying MMP-expression in cancer have to be further elucidated. This paper reviews the mechanisms of MMPs on molecular and cellular level and discusses the role for MMPs and MMP-inhibition in cancer with special focus on acute leukemia.