ASSAY OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEASES TYPE-8 AND TYPE-9 BY ELISA IN HUMAN BREAST-CANCER

Results from model tumour systems suggest that either increased levels of certain metalloproteases (MMPs) or decreased levels of their inhib itors correlate with metastatic potential. In this study, levels of tw o MMPs, i.e. MMP-8 and -9, and their inhibitor tissue inhibitor of met alloprotease type 1 (TIMP-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorb ent assay in human breast tumours. Levels of MMP-8 and -9 correlated s ignificantly with each other, but neither MMP correlated with urokinas e plasminogen activator. Levels of both MMP-8 and -9 were also signifi cantly related to levels of TIMP-1. In contrast, neither MMP correlate d with plasminogen activator inhibitor. No relationship was found betw een MMP-8, MMP-9 or TIMP-1 and either tumour size or metastasis to axi llary nodes. MMP-8 and -9 levels were inversely related to levels of o estrogen receptors. MMP-8 but not MMP-9 levels were also inversely cor related with progesterone receptor levels. It is concluded that the as say for MMP-8 and -9 described here will permit the evaluation of thes e proteases as prognostic markers in cancer.