[Prognostic value of serum MMP-2 level in uterine cancer affected women].

Objectives: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) which can degrade type IV collagen is implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum MMP-2 level in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) and to compare the level with histological grade G1 to G3 in relation to clinical staging I degree-IV degrees as well as myometrial invasion (M. < 1/2, M. > 1/2).

Materials And Methods: The study group consisted of 30 patients with EC. MMP-2 serum levels were measured with specific one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (Amersham Life Science). Statistical analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney test and p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The statistically elevated enzyme level was observed in patients presenting II degrees-IV degrees clinical stage of EC in comparison to women with I degree stage of this carcinoma. There were no significant correlations between MMP-2 serum levels and grades of histological differentiation as well as depth of myometrium invasion.

Conclusions: MMP-2 serum level is statistically higher in clinically advanced stages of EC. This enzyme seems to be useful in monitoring of therapeutical efficacy or screening for the recurrences of the disease.