Correlation of serum metalloproteinase levels with lung cancer metastasis and response to therapy. |
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| Authors: | S Garbisa G Scagliotti L Masiero C Di Francesco C Caenazzo M Onisto M Micela W G Stetler-Stevenson L A Liotta |
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| Affiliation: | Histology Institute, Padova University, Italy. |
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| Abstract: | Cancer cells elaborate metalloproteinases which may play a role in invasion and metastasis. The serum level of the M(r) 72,000 type IV collagenase (MMP-2) was measured in 87 lung cancer patients. Stage IV cancer levels were significantly elevated (P less than 0.0001) compared to normal sera. A significant difference (P less than 0.01) was found between enzyme levels in the presence versus the absence of distant metastasis. For 29 patients treated with combination chemotherapy, a positive relationship was noted between response failure and elevated enzyme levels. Serum metalloproteinase levels may provide information relevant to prognosis as well as treatment decisions. |
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