The current study provides the first insights into the potential influence of the hypoxic microenvironment on DPP4 expression and function in ovarian cancers, and we have shown for the first time that MMP enzyme activity is necessary for DPP4 shedding from ovarian cancer cells, suggesting similar mechanisms may exist in other cancers where DPP4 plays a role. This evidence concerns the gene DPP4 and ovarian carcinoma.