MMP2 and cancer: Anti-metastatic mechanism: EGCG was shown to inhibit the hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met signaling pathway in these colon cancer cells. c-Met is a key driver of tumor invasion and metastasis. By blocking Met activation, EGCG reduced downstream pro-migratory signaling (like MAPK and AKT), thereby suppressing cancer cell migration and invasion. Notably, this effect was independent of H2O2 (i.e., not merely due to antioxidant activity). EGCG also decreased matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2/9) in similar models (noted in other studies), further hindering metastatic potential.