title: Plasma matrix metalloproteinases 7 and 9 in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with marimastat or placebo: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial E2196.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic and predictive utility of measuring plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 and MMP-9 in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated with the oral MMP inhibitor (MMPI) marimastat or a placebo.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured plasma levels of MMP-7 and MMP-9 using an enzyme-linked immunoassay method in 140 evaluable patients with MBC enrolled on a multicenter clinical trial that compared the MMPI marimastat with placebo. Specimens were collected after completion of first-line chemotherapy in patients who had responding or stable disease and 3, 6, and 12 months after initiation of marimastat (10 mg orally twice daily) or placebo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline plasma MMP-7 and MMP-9 levels did not correlate with each other or with progression-free or overall survival. In addition, serial evaluation of plasma MMP-7 and MMP-9 levels revealed no significant changes over time in the marimastat or placebo groups or any correlation with trough plasma marimastat level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that measurement of plasma MMP-7 or MMP-9 levels, as performed in our trial, was not a useful prognostic or predictive factor in patients with MBC or in patients treated with an MMPI.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, NY State University Hospital of New York, Stony Brook, USA.
authors.forename: Stanley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zucker
authors.forename: Molin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sparano
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Gradishar
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Ingle
authors.forename: Nancy E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids; D010919:Placebos; C100342:marimastat; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9