Vol 50, No 4 (2012)
Original paper
Published online: 2012-12-23
Serum matrix metalloproteinase 2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 2 in esophageal cancer patients
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2012.0083
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2012;50(4):590-598.
Abstract
The positive expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were found in esophageal cancer (EC) tissue and
correlated with cancer stage and clinico-pathological features of tumor and patients’ survival. However, little is
known about serum levels of those proteins in EC patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the
diagnostic significance of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 serum levels in EC patients in relation to clinico-pathological
features of cancer. The study included 53 EC patients and 92 healthy controls. The serum levels of MMP-2,
TIMP-2 and classical tumor markers CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) and SCC (squamous cell carcinoma
antigen) were assayed. The prognostic values and diagnostic criteria for the biomarkers tested were defined.
Serum levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2 in EC patients were significantly lower, whereas CEA and SCC significantly
higher than in control group. The diagnostic sensitivity of TIMP-2 (57%) was higher than those for other biomarkers
tested and increased in combination with SCC (70%). Area under ROC curve for TIMP-2 (0.8698) was
larger than for other proteins. In Cox’s univariate analysis only SCC serum levels were significant prognostic
factors for EC patients’ survival. The results suggest the limited value of serum analyses of MMP-2 for tumor
staging and prognosis in EC and the better usefulness of TIMP-2 than MMP-2 as a tumor marker in the diagnosis
of EC, especially in combined use with SCC.
correlated with cancer stage and clinico-pathological features of tumor and patients’ survival. However, little is
known about serum levels of those proteins in EC patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the
diagnostic significance of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 serum levels in EC patients in relation to clinico-pathological
features of cancer. The study included 53 EC patients and 92 healthy controls. The serum levels of MMP-2,
TIMP-2 and classical tumor markers CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) and SCC (squamous cell carcinoma
antigen) were assayed. The prognostic values and diagnostic criteria for the biomarkers tested were defined.
Serum levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2 in EC patients were significantly lower, whereas CEA and SCC significantly
higher than in control group. The diagnostic sensitivity of TIMP-2 (57%) was higher than those for other biomarkers
tested and increased in combination with SCC (70%). Area under ROC curve for TIMP-2 (0.8698) was
larger than for other proteins. In Cox’s univariate analysis only SCC serum levels were significant prognostic
factors for EC patients’ survival. The results suggest the limited value of serum analyses of MMP-2 for tumor
staging and prognosis in EC and the better usefulness of TIMP-2 than MMP-2 as a tumor marker in the diagnosis
of EC, especially in combined use with SCC.
