title: Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and their tissue inhibitor 2 (TIMP-2) in gastric cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) is able to degrade type IV collagen and its activity is mostly regulated by tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2). These proteins might play a role in tumor progression, including gastric cancer (GC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 108 individuals, GC patients and healthy subjects. Serum levels of all analyzed markers were evaluated by the immunological methods, while immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of these proteins in GC, interstitial inflammatory cells and normal tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of positive reactions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was higher in GC and inflammatory cells compared to normal tissue, while serum levels of these proteins were statistically lower in GC patients in comparison to healthy subjects. There was a significant positive correlation between TIMP-2 immunoreactivity in inflammatory cells and the presence of lymph node metastasis. Area under ROC curve (AUC) for TIMP-2 was higher than MMP-2, while serum MMP-2 was an independent prognostic factor of GC patients' survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that TIMP-2 seems to be a predictor of tumor progression, especially for nodal involvement, whereas serum MMP-2 might be useful as an independent prognostic factor of patients' survival.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Łukaszewicz-Zając
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mroczko
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Guzińska-Ustymowicz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pryczynicz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gryko
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kemona
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kędra
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szmitkowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C560823:TIMP2 protein, human; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2