Abstract
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin malignancy, which rarely metastasizes but has a great ability to infiltrate and invade the surrounding tissues. One of the molecular players involved in the metastatic process are matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs are enzymes that can degrade various components of the extracellular matrix. In the skin, the expression of MMPs is increased in response to various stimuli, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation, one of the main factors involved in the development of BCC. By modulating various processes that are linked to tumor growth, such as invasion and angiogenesis, MMPs have been associated with UV-related carcinogenesis. The sources of MMPs are multiple, as they can be released by both neoplastic and tumor microenvironment cells. Inhibiting the action of MMPs could be a useful therapeutic option in BCC management. In this review that reunites the latest advances in this domain, we discuss the role of MMPs in the pathogenesis and evolution of BCC, as molecules involved in tumor aggressiveness and risk of recurrence, in order to offer a fresh and updated perspective on this field.
Highlights
These results suggest the role of epidermal–mesenchymal interactions and the host immune response in the progression of Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) [191]
Most of the studies in this field show that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are overexpressed in BCC, where they promote the release of numerous molecules, such as cytokines, growth factors and adhesion molecules, which provide a favorable environment for tumor development and progression
The majority of the studies investigating MMPs in BCC are correlative analyses of expression data that is often based on mRNA levels or protein levels, and very few studies have examined the biologically relevant activity of these proteases in the context of their possible roles in BCC
Summary
The incidence of BCC starts to increase within the fourth decade of life, while young people are rarely affected. An exception to this tendency is constituted by the patients with either genodermatoses (such as xeroderma pigmentosum, Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, Bazex or Rombo syndrome) or different degrees of immunosuppression [1,2]. In spite of the fact that it is a slow-growing tumor rarely displaying local invasiveness and metastasis, BCC causes, due to its ability to invade and infiltrate the surrounding tissue, considerable morbidity; altogether, due to its high incidence, it represents an important public health issue [1,2]. We aim to assemble novel data on the involvement of MMPs in the pathogenesis and progression of BCC and underline the role of these proteolytic enzymes in tumor aggressiveness, the risk of recurrence and as a valuable source for scouting new BCC therapeutic approaches
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