open access

Vol 50, No 1 (2012)
Review paper
Submitted: 2012-04-24
Accepted: 2012-04-24
Published online: 2012-04-25
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The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) in the development of esophageal cancer

Magdalena Groblewska, Maria Siewko, Barbara Mroczko, Maciej Szmitkowski
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2012.0002
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2012;50(1):12-19.

open access

Vol 50, No 1 (2012)
REVIEW
Submitted: 2012-04-24
Accepted: 2012-04-24
Published online: 2012-04-25

Abstract

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two distinct histological types of EC: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Etiologic factors and the patterns of incidence of both subtypes are different. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) play an important role in esophageal carcinogenesis. Gellatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 are able to degrade collagen IV from basement membranes and extracellular matrix which is related to tumor progression, including invasion, metastasis, growth and angiogenesis. It has been shown that increased expression of MMPs plays a crucial role in the development of several human malignancies, including esophageal cancer. The activity of MMPs is regulated by their endogenous natural inhibitors (TIMPs). Among these, the roles of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in EC development, tumor progression and formation of metastases have been most extensively characterized and best recognized.

Abstract

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two distinct histological types of EC: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Etiologic factors and the patterns of incidence of both subtypes are different. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) play an important role in esophageal carcinogenesis. Gellatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 are able to degrade collagen IV from basement membranes and extracellular matrix which is related to tumor progression, including invasion, metastasis, growth and angiogenesis. It has been shown that increased expression of MMPs plays a crucial role in the development of several human malignancies, including esophageal cancer. The activity of MMPs is regulated by their endogenous natural inhibitors (TIMPs). Among these, the roles of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in EC development, tumor progression and formation of metastases have been most extensively characterized and best recognized.
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Keywords

adenocarcinoma of the esophagus; esophageal squamous cell cancer; matrix metalloproteinases; tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases

About this article
Title

The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) in the development of esophageal cancer

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 50, No 1 (2012)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

12-19

Published online

2012-04-25

Page views

5975

Article views/downloads

6032

DOI

10.5603/FHC.2012.0002

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2012;50(1):12-19.

Keywords

adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
esophageal squamous cell cancer
matrix metalloproteinases
tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases

Authors

Magdalena Groblewska
Maria Siewko
Barbara Mroczko
Maciej Szmitkowski

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