MMPs have been found to play a crucial role in tumor invasion and metastasis. They degrade the extracellular matrix, which is a barrier that cancer cells must breach to spread to other parts of the body. By breaking down this barrier, MMPs enable cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues and enter the bloodstream, facilitating metastasis. Additionally, MMPs can release growth factors that promote tumor growth and angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that supply the tumor with nutrients.
