Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 4 (MT4-MMP): role and significance in the pathogenesis of tumor growth

Abstract

Neoplasms in general, especially malignant tumors, occupy the second place in the structure of human morbidity and are one of the main causes of death and disability of the population. With all the variety of light-optical morphological features, as well as ultrastructural, biochem- ical, immunological and genetic parameters, the development of neoplastic changes in tissues and organs has its own characteristics. The main pathophysiological sign of malignant neoplasms is the loss of dependence on external regulators and autonomous growth. Currently, the emergence and spread of malignant cellular transformation in the body is associated with dysregulation of control mechanisms, mainly due to changes in the structural components of genes encoding the synthesis of many signaling molecules that coordinate intercellular and intertissue communications. The development of new biological markers of the tumor process is one of the priority tasks of modern molecular medicine, since success in this direction will undoubtedly optimize diagnostics and improve the quality of targeted personalized tumor treatment. Matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors are considered as one of the most promising signaling molecules — biomarkers of the tumor process, because they are involved in almost all stages of the onset and progression of malignant neoplasms. Of particular interest in the initiation and development of tumors of various localizations is the membrane-type matrix metal- loproteinase 4 (MT4-MMP) or MMP-17 (alternative name), the role of which in the pathogenesis of oncological dis- eases is the subject of this review.