MMP11 is a zinc-dependent endopeptidase classified as a stromelsin that functions primarily in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and remodeling 1. Beyond its classical proteolytic role, MMP11 can function intracellularly through both protease-dependent and protease-independent mechanisms, localizing to multiple cellular compartments 2. MMP11 plays a significant role in epithelial malignancy progression, particularly through cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-mediated mechanisms. In pancreatic cancer, CAF-derived MMP11 is activated via TGF-β1-induced pSmad2/3 signaling and promotes tumor progression primarily through epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the PI3K/AKT pathway rather than ECM remodeling 3. In bladder cancer, MMP11+ CAF subpopulations accumulate during progression and associate with poor prognosis by regulating endothelial cell migration through WNT5A-MCAM signaling and recruiting pro-angiogenic macrophages 4. In hepatocellular carcinoma, MMP11+ CAFs are specifically localized to tumor boundaries 5. Beyond malignancy, MMP11 is upregulated in healing diabetic foot ulcers within specialized fibroblast populations 6 and in decidualization-resistant endometrium associated with severe preeclampsia 7. These findings suggest MMP11 functions as both a tumor promoter in cancer progression and a tissue remodeling mediator in wound healing and reproductive pathology.