Advances in research on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases in gastrointestinal cancer and their inhibitors in treatment

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) are a family of zinc-dependent endoproteinases whose enzymatic activity is directed against components of the extracelluar matrix(ECM). Their activities are inhibited by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP). MMP exerted an important role in invasion and metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer through degrading the ECM. With further research on inhibition of MMP, synthetic MMP inhibitor will have good prospects in the treatment of tumor invasion and metastasis.