Publication Name	World Journal of Gastroenterology
Manuscript ID	119277
Country	China

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Basic Study
Article Title	Matrix metalloproteinase 3 facilitates colorectal cancer progression by enhancing cell proliferation and invasion
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Bin-Bin Du, Zheng-Peng Qian, Cheng-Zhang Zhu and Quan-Lin Guan
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Department of Health Commission of Gansu Province No.GSWSKY2024-12 Gansu Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine GZKJ-2024-64
Corresponding Author	Quan-Lin Guan, Chief, PhD, Professor, The First School of Clinical Medical, Lanzhou University, No. 222 Tianshui South Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China. guanql@lzu.edu.cn
Key Words	Matrix metalloproteinase 3; Colorectal cancer; Endothelial PAS domain protein 1; Tumor progression; Biomarker
Core Tip	Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) is significantly overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and cells, which is closely associated with advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, nerve invasion and worse overall survival. Functional experiments demonstrate that MMP3 promotes CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and represses apoptosis. Using proteomic analysis and in vivo xenograft models, we identify and verify endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1) as a critical downstream target of MMP3. MMP3 facilitates CRC progression by regulating EPAS1 expression, suggesting that MMP3 may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Citation	Du BB, Qian ZP, Zhu CZ, Guan QL. Matrix metalloproteinase 3 facilitates colorectal cancer progression by enhancing cell proliferation and invasion. World J Gastroenterol 2026; In press

Received	2026-01-23 05:53
Peer-Review Started	2026-01-23 05:54
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-02-04 10:08
Return for Revision	2026-02-04 10:08
Revised	2026-02-06 10:08
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-02-09 06:35
Second Decision by Editor	2026-03-27 02:35
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-03-27 09:19
Articles in Press	2026-03-27 09:19
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1007-9327 (print) and 2219-2840 (online)
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Copyright	©Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See Permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
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