However, in OA dysregulation of metalloproteinases contributes to disease progression.2, 4 The role of collagenases such as MMP‐13, and aggrecanases (ADAMTS‐4 and ‐5) has been well documented.2, 5, 24 Emergent studies highlight the role of ADAMTS‐7 and ‐12 in inflammatory and rheumatic diseases, including RA and OA, atherosclerosis and cancer.25, 26, 27, 28 However, their function and signalling pathways involved in their expression, triggering the damage of non‐collagenous components of the ECM during OA, have not been well established yet. Here, ADAMTS4 is linked to cancer.