Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 levels in plasma from tumour arteries and veins of patients with rectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) plays a major role in the regulation of tissue growth, including cancer growth. The TIMP-1 protein can be determined in plasma, and increased plasma levels of TIMP-1 are associated with a poor prognosis of colorectal cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether tumour tissue release of the TIMP-1 protein contributes to the increased plasma levels of TIMP-1 observed in patients with colorectal cancer.


METHODS
Preoperative blood samples from a peripheral vein and intraoperative blood samples from a tumour artery, a tumour vein and from a peripheral vein were drawn from 24 patients undergoing elective, intended curative surgery for primary rectal cancer. TIMP-1 levels were determined concurrently in plasma from all samples using a validated ELISA method. Counts of white blood cells and platelets were also carried out.


RESULTS
No significant differences between plasma TIMP-1 levels could be demonstrated in any compartment. In particular, there was no significant difference in TIMP-1 levels in plasma from tumour arteries and tumour veins. However, there was a significant decrease in neutrophil cell counts from tumour arteries to tumour veins (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The present results do not support the current hypothesis that tumour cells contribute substantially to increased plasma TIMP-1 levels observed in patients with colorectal cancer.
Frederiksen
C
C
Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark. millef@dadlnet.dk
Lykke
J
J
Christensen
Ib J
IJ
Brünner
N
N
Nielsen
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D010976:Platelet Count; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood*; D014680:Veins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1