PLAU and neoplasm: During tumor progression, tumor and stromal cells secrete a wide variety of proteolytic enzymes including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs), a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif (ADAMTS), and cathepsins that are activated to degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) components and to favor tumor growth and cell dissemination.