Clinicopathological correlations of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in Hodgkin's lymphoma

OBJECTIVES: The influence of matrix-tumour interactions in Hodgkin's lymphoma is poorly characterised, although a large part of the tumour often consists of reactive tissue. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinicopathological role of two main inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, in Hodgkin's lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 protein expressions were studied from paraffin-embedded tumour sections of 68 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma by using immunostaining with TIMP-1 and TIMP-2-specific antibodies. The results of the stainings were compared with the clinicopathological disease characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 33.3% of the tumour tissue sections expressed TIMP-1 and 46.8% expressed TIMP-2. The expression of the TIMP-1 protein was found to be strongly associated with the nodular sclerosis subtype (P = 0.015) and the existence of a bulky tumour (P = 0.004) in Hodgkin's lymphoma. The expression of the TIMP-2 protein, on the other hand, correlated with the occurrence of B symptoms (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide the first clinical evidence suggesting that TIMP-1 could promote growth of Hodgkin's lymphoma, and may be linked to connective tissue turnover in the nodular sclerosis subtype. However, TIMP-2 is shown to correlate with systemic symptoms.