The observation that a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor (marimastat, BB2516), known to affect tumor invasion, inhibits also growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells that overexpress EGFR, highlighted the MMP role (e.g., MMP9) in cleaving HER ligands from membrane-anchored precursors into their functionally activated states (218a). The gene discussed is EGFR; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.