In cancer cells, AGEs elicit (1) phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR (a serine/threonine protein kinase in the PI3K-related kinase family), responsible for cancer cell proliferation and pro-survival signals; (2) phosphorylation of GSK-3β, responsible for ECM remodelling and hence metastasis; (3) expression of MMP1, 3, 7, 9 and 10; activation of MMP2 and 9, mediators of ECM and metastasis; (4) rise in cytokines IL-1β and IL-8, responsible for inflammation; (5) augmentation of RAGE and NF-κB p65, and IκB suppression, responsible for inflammation and metastasis. The gene discussed is MMP1; the disease is cancer.