基质金属蛋白酶与前列腺癌的相关探讨

The Research on the Correlationship between Matrix Metalloproteinases and Carcinoma of Prostate

MMPs是一类依赖锌的胞外水解酶,可降解细胞外基质,从而促进肿瘤侵袭和转移。TIMPs是MMPs内源特异性组织抑制因子。几乎能够抑制所有MMPs活性。大量研究发现MMPs和TIMPs的活性比值与肿瘤侵袭和转移相关。前列腺癌是男性泌尿生殖系肿瘤中极易发生侵袭和转移的一种恶性肿瘤。有研究认为MMPs及TIMPs在前列腺癌的侵袭及转移中起重要作用,有关MMPs的研究与前列腺癌的预防、诊断和治疗密切相关,部分已经应用于临床治疗。

Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) are the zinc-dependent proteolytic enzymes capable of breaking down basement membranes and most extracellular matrix(ECM) components, thus promoting tumor invasion and metastasis. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are the endogenous inhibitors of MMPs. By inhibiting MMPs activities, TIMPs participate in tissue remodeling of the ECM and inhibit tumor invasion and metastasis. The balance between MMPs and TIMPs is involved in mechanisms of tumour invasion and metastasis. Prostate cancer is the most common cause of non-cutaneous cancer in men and a leading lethal malignancy with increasing incidence worldwide. Numerous investigations have pointed out that MMPs and TIMPs play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer. Different strategies aiming to block the unwanted activity of MMPs in prostate cancer have been developed.