MMP-9 is a human protease and is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological matrix degrading processes, including tissue invasion of metastases and opening of the blood-brain barrier.
MMP-9 is a gelatinase secreted by both cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells, and it contributes to TNF-alpha-stimulated tumor invasion and metastasis.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9, gelatinase B) plays a key role in cancer invasion and metastasis by degradating the extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane barriers.
MMP9 expression was significantly decreased in tumors with regional metastasis, whereas increased expression of ADAM8 was noted in the metastatic tumors (P < 0.001 for both).
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is involved in a wide range of normal and pathologic conditions, including inflammation, tissue repair, tumor invasion, and metastasis.
MMP-9 and VEGF expression is associated with enhanced tumor angiogenesis and may play crucial roles in the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.
MMP-9 expression was significantly higher in patients with low-grade differentiation and distant metastasis (p = 0.003 and p = 0.005, respectively), and patients with MMP-9-positive expression had a poorer prognosis (p = 0.008).
MMP-9 and pIκBα(ser32/36) expression significantly associated with metastases at recurrence and were independent of Gleason sum and prostate-specific antigen at recurrence.