Serum MMPs and TIMPs: may be predictors of breast carcinogenesis?
BACKGROUND
The involvement of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in breast cancer has been documented on palpable lesions. This study aims to assess serum MMP1, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), lobular neoplasia (LN), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) specifically in non-palpable mammographic breast lesions.


METHODS
On women with benign (n=65), precursor [ADH (n=18) and LN (n=15)], preinvasive [DCIS (n=32)] and invasive [IDC (n=28)] lesions the serum concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-2, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TPS, and TPA were determined with immunoenzymatic assays. All women had non-palpable mammographic breast lesions of less than 10mm in diameter, as estimated on the mammographic views. Statistical analysis followed.


RESULTS
TIMP-2 serum concentrations were positively associated with the severity of the lesion. On the contrary, MMP-2 levels were marginally negatively associated with severity; as evident, the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio significantly decreased along with severity. Regarding TIMP-1, TPS, TPA, and TIMP-1/TIMP-2, no significant associations were demonstrated. MMP-2 and the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio were significantly higher in the LN subgroup versus the ADH subgroup.


CONCLUSIONS
TIMP-2 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio may exhibit meaningful changes along with progression of lesions. Extracellular cell matrix remodeling in ductal and lobular lesions may follow distinct patterns.
Breast Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Hippokratio Hospital, University of Athens, Greece. florazagouri@yahoo.co.uk
Flora
F
Zagouri
Theodoros N
TN
Sergentanis
Elena
E
Kalogera
Xeni
X
Provatopoulou
Dimosthenis
D
Chrysikos
Eleni
E
Zografos
Garifallia
G
Bletsa
Ioannis
I
Flessas
Christos A
CA
Papadimitriou
George C
GC
Zografos
Antonia
A
Gounaris
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000097:blood*; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000097:blood*
D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases