title: Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2: a diagnostic marker but not prognostic marker of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Matrix metalloproteinases are proteolytic enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix components. Numerous studies have demonstrated that individual MMPs play a crucial role in tumor invasion and metastasis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the expression of MMPs and their inhibitor TIMP-2 in neoplastic and normal thyroid tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 33 cases of thyroid tumor (papillary, follicular and medullary carcinoma, follicular adenoma and multinodular goiter). MMP protein content and activity were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and gel zymography. Immunohistochemistry was also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The thyroid tissues examined secreted MMP-2 and 9 as well as TIMP-2, but only MMP-2 was significantly higher in papillary carcinoma cases compared to the adjacent normal tissue or to the other tumor entities. Increased MMP-2 immunohistochemical staining was demonstrated in the neoplastic papillary epithelial component. No significant difference was seen between papillary carcinomas with lymph node metastases and those without.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased MMP-2 expression may be useful as a diagnostic marker to differentiate papillary carcinoma from other thyroid neoplasms, but it cannot serve as a useful prognostic marker.
authors: Endocrine Research Unit, Carmel Medical Center and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
authors: Sigal
authors: S
authors: Korem
authors: Zaki
authors: Z
authors: Kraiem
authors: Eitan
authors: E
authors: Shiloni
authors: Oved
authors: O
authors: Yehezkel
authors: Orit
authors: O
authors: Sadeh
authors: Murray B
authors: MB
authors: Resnick
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D011379:Prognosis; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2