This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Conlon, G. A. and Murray, G. I. (2019), Recent advances in understanding the roles of matrix metalloproteinases in tumour invasion and metastasis. J. Pathol., 247: 629-640., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/path.5225. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.