Matrix metalloproteinase-2 level in blood plasma, thyroid tumors and metastases

Abstract

Abstract. The metastatic process involves the exit of cancer cells from the primary tumor, their transition into the transport system, colonization and proliferation in a distant organs. Cells acquire invasive properties through the formation of actin-based invadopodia, along with the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that can degrade extracellular matrix proteins.

The aim: to compare the levels of MMP type 2 (MMP-2) in samples of follicular adenoma, goiter, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), metastases (Mts), and conditionally normal tissue.

Material and methods. Postoperative samples of tissue and blood plasma, obtained from the surgical department of the Institute's clinic, were used for research. The amount of MMP-2 was determined using enzyme immunoassay kits. Results. The level of MMP-2 in the goiter tissue exceeded the levels in conditionally normal tissue by approximately 2 times. A similar ratio was observed in РТС tissues without Mts. The concentration of MMP-2 in the tumor tissue of the РТС with Mts was higher than in the conditionally normal tissue by more then 6 times. It is important to note that the level of MMP-2 in Mts did not differ from the goiter tissue and tumor tissue of the РТС without Mts. In blood plasma of patients with PTC without Mts, the concentration of the MMP-2 significantly exceeded its level in control plasma. The concentration of MMP-2 in the blood of patients with PTC and Mts was more then 5 times higher than in conditionally normal tissue and more then 2 times higher than in tumor tissue of РТС without Mts.

Conclusions. Our data indicate significant differences in the concentration of MMP-2 between tumor tissues of PTC without and with Mts. It should be emphasized the fact that in the blood plasma the level of MMP-2 was also significantly higher in PТC patients with Mts than in healthy people and PТC patients without Mts. The latter circumstance can become the basis for the preoperative prognosis of the development of Mts in PТC patients.