MATRIX METALLO PROTEINASES IN CARCINOMA OF CERVIX - A REVIEW

Life Sciences-Pathology

Abstract

Carcinoma Cervix is one of the most common cancers in women causing mortality in majority of them. Tumor invasion and metastasis is the commonest cause of death in these patients. Matrix Metalloproteinases [MMPs], are a set of zinc dependent endopeptidases, are responsible for the progression and dissemination of the tumor cells. Many MMPs are expressed in increased proportions in this malignancy and their level of expression correlates with stage and grade of the tumor. Human Papilloma Virus is undoubtedly the etiological factor for this neoplasm. Numerous studies have given the possible mechanisms which relate HPV infection to MMPs expression. In this review we have discussed various MMPs in cervical cancer, their expression patterns with an emphasis on their relation to HPV infection.