Transformation-specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-7 and MMP-13 are expressed by tumour cells in epidermolysis bullosa-associated squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

These results identify MMP-7 and MMP-13 as tumour cell-specific markers for SCC progression and as potential therapeutic targets in RDEB-associated SCC. The pattern of immunolabelling suggests that MMP-7 may shed E-cadherin and syndecan-1 from the SCC cell surface.