Relationship between matrix metalloproteinase and the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer

Malignant tumor invasion and metastasis is a complex pathological process.Degradation of extracellular matrix and basement membrane and formation of new blood vessels are the crucial element in the tumor invasion and metastasis.Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) are a group of zinc-dependent enzymes.In recent years,the MMP have been demonstrated that it plays an important role in the progress of colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis.In this review,the current progresses of the relationship between MMP and the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer are summarized.