The diagnostic value of the measurement of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), squamous cell cancer antigen (SCC) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the sera of esophageal cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases associated with tumor progression. It was proved that expression of MMP-9 in human esophageal cancer tissues correlated with stages of the disease. The aim of the present study was to determine potential clinical use of serum MMP-9 as a tumor marker of esophageal cancer.


METHODS
The study included 89 patients with esophageal cancer and 30 healthy subjects (control group). We assayed serum levels of MMP-9 and classical tumor markers (SCC-Ag and CEA). We defined the prognostic value and diagnostic criteria for the measurands.


RESULTS
Serum levels of MMP-9, CEA and SCC-Ag in esophageal cancer (EC) patients were statistically higher than in the control group. MMP-9 serum concentrations were associated with clinical stages of EC and tumor size. The diagnostic sensitivity of MMP-9 (70%) was higher than tumor markers and increased in combination with SCC-Ag (92%). The area under the ROC curve for MMP-9 (0.733) was lower than for SCC-Ag (0.811) and higher than for CEA (0.673). In Cox's univariate analysis serum MMP-9, SCC-Ag and CEA were not significant for prognosis of EC.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest the usefulness of MMP-9 as a tumor marker in diagnosis, but not in prognosis of esophageal cancer.
D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015843:Serpins / Q000097:blood*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9