Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2020 | Lung Cancer | Research
Value of metalloproteinases in predicting COPD in heavy urban smokers
Published in: Respiratory Research | Issue 1/2020
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Background
Emphysema in asymptomatic heavy smokers can be detected during CT-scan screening for lung cancer. Metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been found to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to possibly serve as biomarkers for emphysema.
Methods
The NYU Lung Cancer Biomarker Center enrolled study subjects over 50 years of age with lung cancer risk factors from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2015. These subjects received chest multi-detector computed tomography, spirometry, and provided serum for immunoassays for metalloproteinases (MMP) -1, -2, -7, -9, -10 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) -1 and -2.
Results
Three hundred sixteen study subjects were enrolled. Of the 222 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 46% had emphysema. Smokers with emphysema had increased pack-years of smoking compared to smokers without emphysema (51 ± 24 pack-years (mean ± sd) versus 37 ± 20; p < 0.0001). Smokers with emphysema also had lower FEV1/FVC percent compared to smokers without emphysema (68 ± 11 (mean ± sd) versus 75 ± 8; p < 0.0001). Increased age and pack-years of smoking were associated with increased odds of emphysema. None of the metalloproteinases or tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases were useful to predict the presence of emphysema in smokers.
Conclusion
Emphysema was detected by CT in almost half of heavy urban smokers. Serum MMP levels provided minimal additional information to improve the detection of mild emphysema among smokers given their clinical characteristics (age, pack-years, and FEV1/FVC ratio).