Abstract
Cancer cells elaborate metalloproteinases which may play a role in invasion and metastasis. The serum level of the Mr 72,000 type IV collagenase (MMP-2) was measured in 87 lung cancer patients. Stage IV cancer levels were significantly elevated (P < 0.0001) compared to normal sera. A significant difference (P < 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.
Footnotes
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↵1 Supported by grants from Ministero Università Ricerca Scientifica Tecnologica, Progetto Finalizzato del Consiglio Nazionale Ricerca “Applicazioni Cliniche Ricerca Oncologica,” and Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Italy.
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↵2 To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia Generale, via Trieste 75, 35121 Padova, Italy.
- Received June 1, 1992.
- Accepted July 2, 1992.
- ©1992 American Association for Cancer Research.
Volume 52, Issue 16
