Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) regulates invasion and matrix remodelling in colorectal cancer

•Invasive breast and colorectal cancer cells locally degrade their tumour microenvironment.•Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is overexpressed in invasive cancer cells.•Targeting uPA stops matrix degradation.•Targeting uPA limits cancer invasion.•uPA therefore has high potential as a target for mechano-based cancer therapies.