Abstract

ROLE OF MMP1 AND MMP10 AS POTENTIAL MARKERS IN HEAD AND NECK SQAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Savita J. K., Varsha V. K., Girish H. C., Sanjay Murgod., C. Santosh Kumar and Mamatha N. S.

ABSTRACT

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases. They are quite capable of degrading extracellular matrix and basement membrane with subsequent invasion of malignant cells into the stroma, intravasation into the blood or lymphatic circulation, and Formation of metastases in distinct sites. Relevant to this review, the role of MMPs in cancer biology is studied and documented relatively well and continues to be the topic of intensive research. In addition to overexpressing several MMPs in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), expression has been associated with salient tumorigenic characteristics such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. This review provides summary of MMP activities in general and particularly MMP1 & MMP10 in cancers, and update of their activities in HNSCC.

Keywords: MMP1, MMP10, Head and Neck Cancers, Tumor Markers.