MMP7 is involved in the injury response of mucosal epithelia and the degradation of extracellular matrix components and has been previously shown to be overexpressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its precursors, PanIN and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, with MMP7 changes apparent even in intermediate-grade PanIN.43 Here, MMP7 is linked to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.