Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) gene is methylated in the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma: loss of expression correlates with poor prognosis.

Amongst involvement in diverse physiological and pathological processes, TIMP-3 may have an important role in tumour development, growth and metastasis by interaction with metalloproteases in the extracellular matrix. We studied the role and prognostic effect of TIMP-3 in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EADC). TIMP-3 gene methylation and TIMP-3 mRNA expression were analysed in 5 esophageal cell lines and 24 resected EADCs.