In the present study, the significance of circulating matrix metalloproteinases- 2 and- 9 (MMP- 2, MMP- 9), as well as their tissue inhibitors- 1 and- 2 (TIMP- 1, TIMP- 2) in ovarian cancer were studied to assess the possibility of using them in clinical decision-making. Methods. We measured, prior to primary surgery, the concentrations of these proteins in serum samples of 115 patients with an ovarian tumor: 63 with cancer, 6 with a low malignant potential tumor, and 46 with a benign tumor. The measurements were performed with enzyme- linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The results were compared to clinicopathological data. Results. A high serum concentration of TIMP- 1 at diagnosis was found to correlate with the malignant phenotype of an ovarian tumor. Within malignant neoplasias, high circulating TIMP- 1 correlated to the aggressive phenotype and unfavorable prognosis. An association was found between a high serum level of TIMP- 1 and an advanced stage of the disease, a residual tumor >2 cm, poor response to cytotoxic treatment, shorter recurrence free time, and shorter cancer-related overall survival. No statistically significant correlation was found between the circulating gelatinases (MMP- 2, MMP- 9) or TIMP- 2 and the clinicopathological factors. However, a tendency for better survival with high serum concentration of TIMP- 2 or MMP- 2 was observed. Conclusion. We conclude that an elevated preoperative serum TIMP- 1 concentration correlates to the aggressive behavior of ovarian cancer.
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