Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and conventional tumor markers (CEA and CA 19-9) in patients with colorectal and gastric cancers.
BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-2 and MMP-9, play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. This study aimed to determine the serum levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, 130- and 225-kDa gelatinolytic bands and conventional tumor markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen (CA) 19-9, in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. The relationship between these parameters and clinicopathological factors was also studied.


METHODS
Sera from controls (n=19), and patients with colorectal (n=47) and gastric (n=34) cancer were collected prospectively. The gelatinolytic activities of MMP-2, MMP-9, 130- and 225-kDa bands were determined using gelatin zymography. CEA and CA 19-9 were determined using immunoradiometric assay (IRMA).


RESULTS
Serum levels of MMP-9, 130- and 225-kDa gelatinolytic bands, CEA, and CA 19-9, but not MMP-2, in colorectal and gastric cancer were significantly higher than that of controls. No significant correlation was found between histological grade or clinical stage and levels of MMP-9, 130- and 225-kDa gelatinolytic bands, which were correlated (r=0.61-0.89, p<0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that zymographic determination of MMP-9, 130- and 225-kDa gelatinolytic bands in colorectal and gastric cancer may be useful in studying these types of cancer in parallel with conventional tumor markers.
Emara
Marwan
M
Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. memara@ualberta.ca
Cheung
Po-Yin
PY
Grabowski
Krzysztof
K
Sawicki
Grzegorz
G
Wozniak
Mietek
M
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9