Serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in complex with the inhibitor (MMP-2:TIMP-2) as prognostic markers in bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether the circulating TIMP-2 or MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex associate with disease-free or cause-specific survival in bladder cancer patients.


METHODS
Levels of circulating TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex from 50 patients and 44 healthy volunteers were measured by ELISA and compared with the clinical data.


RESULTS
In cancer patients the levels of TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex were significantly lower than in healthy volunteers (p= or <0.0001). Low TIMP-2 levels and low MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex levels correlated significantly with poor prognosis (p=0.0032, p=0.0022, respectively). The 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 67% and 60% in patients with a high serum level for TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 versus 18% and 20% in those with low levels of TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex associate with favorable clinical course and could be used as a novel prognostic indicators in bladder cancer.
Vasala
Kaija
K
Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. kaija.vasala@oulu.fi
Turpeenniemi-Hujanen
Taina
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000097:blood*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology
D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2