Increased serum level of membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP/MMP-14) in patients with breast cancer.

Different types of matrix metalloproteinases, including membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP/MMP-14) can be easily detected in biological fluids and therefore may be contemplated as putative tumor markers. Although increased activity of MT1-MMP/MMP-14 have already been found in breast cancer, little is known about its circulating levels. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate serum levels of active form of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP/MMP-14). A novel type of activity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of MT1-MMP/MMP-14 in 18 patients with invasive ductal breast cancer and 11 healthy controls. In the breast cancer group of patients MT1-MMP/MMP-14 mean (+/-SD) concentration was 16.91+/-5.87 ng/ml which was significantly higher (p<0.0001) than the mean values obtained for the control i.e. 8.55+/-1.66 ng/ml. Conclusions: Higher levels of soluble form of MT1-MMP/MMP-14 could play a role in invasiveness and metastasis of breast cancer. Whether or not it has a potential as biochemical marker remains to be determined.