Molecular mavericks: unveiling the matrix metalloproteinase gene’s role in ovarian cancer

Abstract

Abstract Ovarian cancer continues to rate among the most lethal gynecological tumors, in part due to limited treatment options and late-stage discovery. A class of zinc-dependent endopeptidases known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been identified as a key player in the development and spread of ovarian cancer. MMPs are a kind of enzyme that may degrade different components of the extracellular matrix, facilitating the invasion of surrounding tissues by cancer cells and their subsequent metastasis. The main MMPs involved in ovarian cancer are the subject of this review, particularly MMP-2 and MMP-9. These enzymes play a key role in the development of new blood vessels, tumor invasion, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), all of these are critical for the spread of cancer. Growth factors like VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) are among the many variables that regulate the activity of MMPs, which create a favorable environment for tumor growth. Genetic variants in the MMP genes are especially important because they affect a person’s risk of developing ovarian cancer and how the illness develops. This hereditary component emphasizes the necessity of individualized treatment plans. Since MMPs are both possible therapeutic targets and prognostic markers, targeting them offers a promising approach to ovarian cancer treatment. This review highlights the importance of MMPs in ovarian cancer by synthesizing recent findings and highlighting how they may improve patient outcomes and allow for more individualized treatment plans. A thorough grasp of MMPs and how they contribute to ovarian cancer may open the door to novel treatment strategies and provide hope for improved control of this difficult condition.

Keywords

• Ovarian cancer
• Matrix metalloproteinases
• Angiogenesis
• Tumor microenvironment
• Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition
• Polymorphism