Plasma matrix metalloproteinase 9 as biomarker of prostate cancer progression in Dunning (Copenhagen) rats.
BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in invasion and metastatic spread of cancer cells. The objective of this study was to assess MMPs in plasma of Dunning tumor rats as indicators of the progression of prostate cancer and follow-up parameters after treatment.


METHODS
Prostate cancer was induced in male Copenhagen rats by either subcutaneous or orthotopic implantation of R3327-MatLyLu cells. During the development of the tumor, plasma MMP-2, and MMP-9 were measured by gelatin-substrate zymography and Western blot technique with densitometry in untreated animals, rats treated with laser-induced hyperthermia, or with the new synthetic MMP inhibitor RO 28-2653.


RESULTS
Normal prostatic tissue of the Copenhagen rats predominantly expressed proMMP-2 but not proMMP-9 whereas MMP-9 was only found in cancerous tissue. Elevated plasma MMP-9 values were demonstrated in rats with subcutaneous or orthotopic tumors. Animals with tumors and treated with the MMP inhibitor RO 28-2653 had both a lower tumor volume and a lower plasma MMP-9 concentration compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The determination of plasma MMP-9 in Dunning tumor rats is a useful tool to monitor the progression of prostate cancer and to assess the efficacy of drugs like MMP inhibitors or other treatment protocols.
Jung
Klaus
K
Department of Urology, University Hospital Charité, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany. klaus.jung@charite.de
Krell
Hans-Willi
HW
Ortel
Bernhard
B
Hasan
Tayyaba
T
Römer
Andreas
A
Schnorr
Dietmar
D
Loening
Stefan A
SA
Lein
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; C453902:Ro 28-2653; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9