title: Exhaled matrix metalloproteinase-9 in lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been recognized in several types of tumor development and progression, including lung cancer, for its role in the degradation and remodeling of lung tissue. Furthermore, increased MMP-9 has been commonly described in the serum and airways of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, MMP-9 in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of NSCLC patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 40 NSCLC patients and 40 controls affected by transudative pleural effusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  MMP-9 concentrations were measured in the EBC, whole blood (WB), and pleural effusion (PE) of all the subjects under study using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMP-9 levels were found to be significantly higher in EBC, WB, and PE of NSCLC patients compared with controls. A positive correlation was observed between MMP-9 in EBC, cigarettes smoked, and stage of cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exhaled MMP-9 was elevated in NSCLC patients, especially during tumor progression, and could represent a suitable noninvasive marker in the diagnosis and monitoring of lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Respiratory Disease, Department of Medical and Occupational Sciences, Univeristy of Foggia, Italy. ge.carpagnano@unifg.it
authors.forename: Giovanna E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Carpagnano
authors.forename: Grazia P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Palladino
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lacedonia
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Foschino-Barbaro
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001944:Breath Tests; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
chemical_list: D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9