Human NSCLC H460 cells treated with 10 μM UA for 24 h exhibited increased apoptosis, characterized by activation of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation, which was associated with a significant increase in gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10, as well as an increase in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) cytosolic localization. The gene discussed is NR3C1; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.