HTRA1 and cancer: Several cellular and molecular studies suggested that HtrA1 plays a key role in regulating various cellular processes via the cleavage and/or binding of pivotal factors that participate in cell proliferation, migration, and cell fate [10,11,12,13] HtrA1 has been suggested to be closely associated with the pathology of various diseases, including osteoarthritis, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), familial cerebral small vessel disease (CARASIL), and malignant tumours.