Dupuytren's disease and frozen shoulder induced by treatment with a matrixmetalloproteinase inhibitor

In a series of 12 patients with inoperable gastric carcinoma who had treatm ent with a synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (Marimastat) for mo re than one month, six developed a frozen shoulder or a condition resemblin g Dupuytren's disease. This suggests that the matrix metalloproteinases, a family of naturally occ urring proteinases, may be involved in the pathogenesis of these two condit ions. Our observation opens avenues for further research which could lead t o local or systemic therapeutic interventions for frozen shoulder and Dupuy tren's disease.