MMP12 and cancer: Many of the genes identified in the resulting classifying biomarkers have been previously identified as dysregulated in cancer, including MMP1 and MMP12. Matrix metalloproteinases like MMP1 and MMP12 are key enzymes involved in extracellular matrix degradation during tissue remodelling and are frequently reported as upregulated in cancer, associated with invasion and metastases and potential therapeutic targets [34].