Plasma MMP-1 Expression as a Prognostic Factor in Colon Cancer
Andreas Jönsson, Peter Falk, Eva Angenete, Claes Hjalmarsson, Marie-Lois Ivarsson
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are involved in the local and distant invasiveness of colorectal cancer. This study investigates the prognostic value of circulating matrix metalloproteinase levels in patients with colon cancer. METHODS: A cohort of 152 patients was followed for more than 10 years. The correlation of plasma levels of MMP-1,-2, -7, -8, and -9 and survival was investigated. RESULTS: A high level of MMP-1 in circulating plasma was associated with a poorer prognosis in colon cancer (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.9) in multivariate analysis regarding 5-year cancer-specific survival. This was further seen in regard of 10-year cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of plasma MMP-1 concentration in patients planned for radical colon cancer surgery might be of importance when discussing prognosis and selection of patients for oncological treatment and postsurgery surveillance.