Plasma levels of MMPs and TIMP-1 in urinary bladder cancer patients

Background: Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) is the ninth most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve survival of patients. In order to improve the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive urinary bladder cancer, a large number of tumor markers have been identified and strictly assessed. Some of the best candidates as predictive markers in oncologic diseases belong to the family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The main focus of investigation in this study was on MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) as plasma biomarkers in patients with urinary bladder cancer (depending on tumor stage). Methods: Plasma levels of MMP-9 were significantly higher in all patients with UBC compared to control subjects. The plasma level of MMP-8 in Stage III UBC patients was 1.2 times higher than in control group. The plasma level of MMP-3 was higher in patients with bladder cancer of Stage I, II or III (compared to control subjects). Moreover, high plasma levels of TIMP-1 were observed in patients with UBC stages III and IV. Results: Overall, the measurements of circulating blood levels of MMP-1 and MMP-2 are progressively dissimilar among the various groups (UBC versus control subjects). Thus, changes in MMP levels may be used for monitoring and/or predicting progression of UBC.