What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
MMP7 Protein Levels: 10/10 evidence, 28 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Lower MMP7 Levels and Better Cancer Prognosis
This genotype is associated with lower baseline levels of the tissue-degrading MMP7 enzyme. It generally correlates with a more favorable prognosis in certain cancers, though it carries a very slight increase in prostate cancer risk.
What this genotype means: Lower baseline MMP7 enzyme levels; More favorable prognosis in breast cancer; Slightly lower PSA levels.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Higher MMP7 Levels and Increased Inflammatory Risk
This genotype leads to elevated production of the tissue-degrading MMP7 enzyme. It is linked to a less favorable prognosis in certain cancers and higher PSA levels.
What this genotype means: Elevated baseline MMP7 enzyme levels; Less favorable prognosis in breast cancer; Higher baseline PSA levels.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/C
Typical MMP7 Levels and Balanced Risk Profile
Carrying one copy of the variant allele results in intermediate, typical levels of the MMP7 enzyme. This leads to average baseline risks for tissue inflammation and associated cancers.
What this genotype means: Average baseline MMP7 enzyme levels; Typical risk profile for inflammatory conditions; Standard cancer prognosis baseline.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The MMP7 gene encodes matrix metallopeptidase 7, a specialized enzyme that breaks down the extracellular matrix to facilitate tissue remodeling and wound healing [1]. Because it degrades physical tissue barriers, its activity is tightly controlled to prevent unwanted tissue destruction [1]. Elevated levels of this enzyme are frequently observed in inflamed tissues and various tumor microenvironments, where it can promote cell migration and blood vessel growth [2]. Consequently, genetic variations that alter the baseline production of this protein can influence susceptibility to inflammatory conditions and cancer progression [2].
Variant Impact: The rs11568818 variant is located in the promoter region of the MMP7 gene, directly modifying how actively the gene is transcribed into protein [1]. The change from a thymine (T) to a cytosine (C) allele alters a binding site for transcription factors, which significantly boosts the gene's activity [1]. Carrying the cytosine allele leads to a two- to three-fold increase in MMP7 protein expression under certain cellular conditions [2]. This elevated expression can accelerate tissue degradation and has been linked to altered risks for several cancers and inflammatory diseases [2].
Key Insight: A single letter change in the promoter of this gene acts like an accelerator, boosting the production of a tissue-degrading enzyme by up to three times.
Location: MMP7. Chromosome 11 · 11q22.2 · 102.5 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 33.5%; European 30.4%; African 30.3%; East Asian 85.6%; South Asian 32.1%; Americas 40.8%; Ashkenazi 34.0%; Finnish 33.0%; Middle Eastern 24.7%; Amish 12.6%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Global 47.8%; European 49.5%; African 49.5%; East Asian 13.8%; South Asian 49.1%; Americas 46.2%; Ashkenazi 48.6%; Finnish 48.9%; Middle Eastern 50.0%; Amish 45.8%.
Estimated TC genotype frequency.
Global 18.7%; European 20.1%; African 20.2%; East Asian 0.6%; South Asian 18.8%; Americas 13.1%; Ashkenazi 17.4%; Finnish 18.1%; Middle Eastern 25.3%; Amish 41.6%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Immunity & Inflammation
Inflammatory & Circulating Protein Markers
MMP7 Protein Levels. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 28915241. Lower Levels.
Cancer & Oncology
Cancer Prognosis & Treatment Outcome
Breast Cancer Prognosis. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 18648013. Better Prognosis.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 23535732. ~1.07x Higher Risk.
PSA Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 39024449. Lower PSA Levels.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
MMP7 Protein Levels. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 28915241. Higher Levels.
Breast Cancer Prognosis. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 18648013. Worse Prognosis.
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 23535732. Slightly Lower Risk.
PSA Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 39024449. Higher PSA Levels.
Showing effects for T/C genotype
MMP7 Protein Levels. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 28915241. Typical Levels.
Breast Cancer Prognosis. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 18648013. Typical Prognosis.
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 23535732. Typical Risk.
PSA Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 39024449. Typical PSA Levels.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Maintaining lower baseline levels of the MMP7 enzyme helps preserve the integrity of the extracellular matrix, making it harder for abnormal cells to migrate [1]. Clinical studies indicate that individuals with this common genotype tend to have a significantly better overall survival and prognosis when facing breast cancer compared to those with the variant genotype [1]. However, large-scale genetic analyses also reveal a very modest, 1.07-fold increase in the risk of developing prostate cancer associated with this specific sequence [2]. Despite this slight prostate-specific risk, the overall profile of this genotype is highly favorable due to lower systemic tissue inflammation and reduced metastatic potential [1].
Lower baseline MMP7 enzyme levels; More favorable prognosis in breast cancer; Slightly lower PSA levels.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Elevated expression of the MMP7 enzyme can compromise the structural integrity of tissues, potentially facilitating the spread of abnormal cells [1]. Clinical data shows that individuals with this genotype experience a significantly less favorable prognosis and shorter overall survival when diagnosed with breast cancer [1]. Additionally, this genetic sequence is associated with higher circulating levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a common biomarker for prostate tissue activity [2]. However, this genotype also appears to offer a very slight protective effect against the development of prostate cancer itself [3].
Elevated baseline MMP7 enzyme levels; Less favorable prognosis in breast cancer; Higher baseline PSA levels.
Sample genotype: TC (Heterozygous)
Possessing a balanced genetic profile with one copy of each allele results in typical baseline production of the tissue-remodeling enzyme MMP7 [1]. This intermediate level of expression means that tissue barriers are maintained normally, without the excessive degradation seen in variant homozygotes [1]. Studies on cancer prognosis and inflammatory susceptibility generally place this heterozygous group at an average, baseline level of risk [2]. While there is a slight elevation in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels compared to the major genotype, it does not translate to a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer [3].
Average baseline MMP7 enzyme levels; Typical risk profile for inflammatory conditions; Standard cancer prognosis baseline.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs11568819 · MMP7 Gene · Chr 11 · Lung Fibrosis and MMP7 Levels
rs103294 · Chr 19 · Prostate Cancer Risk
rs1800896 · IL10 Gene · Chr 1 · Inflammatory Response and Cancer Risk
Diversity and scale: Genetic architecture of 2068 traits in the VA Million Veteran Program.
Content updated August 2026.
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