Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and -9 (MMP-9) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in differential diagnosis between low malignant potential (LMP) and malignant ovarian tumours.
BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) (gelatinase A) and MMP-9 (gelatinase B) have the ability to degrade several extracellular matrix components. This study aimed to evaluate whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-2-TIMP-2 complex) or their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) could be used as preoperative serum markers in differentiating between low malignant potential (LMP) and malignant ovarian tumours.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 61 patients with ovarian neoplasms (28 benign, 11 LMP and 22 malignant). MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-2-TIMP-2 complex, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were analysed from serum samples using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA).


RESULTS
Serum TIMP-1 values significantly increased from benign (median 250 microg/l, range 137-616 microg/l) to LMP (median 357 microg/l, range 63-587 microg/l) and further to malignant (median 443 microg/l, range 199-983 microg/l) ovarian neoplasms (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the ratios of TIMP-1 to MMP-2 and TIMP-1 to MMP-2-TIMP-2 complex between the patients with benign vs. malignant and an LMP vs. malignant tumour.


CONCLUSIONS
The value of circulating TIMP-1 and the ratios of TIMP-1 to MMP-2 and TIMP-1 to MMP-2-TIMP-2 complex may be valuable for differentiating between LMP and malignant ovarian tumours.
Määtta
Milla
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oulu, Box 24, 90029 OYS, Finland.
Talvensaari-Mattila
Anne
A
Turpeenniemi-Hujanen
Taina
T
Santala
Markku
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood*; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000097:blood*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9