Preoperative levels of matrix metalloproteinase-7 and -9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 relation to pathologic parameters in bladder carcinoma patients.

Our aim was to test the hypothesis that preoperative serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) and -9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) levels correlate with pathological features. Serum levels of MMP-7, and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were determined in 90 bladder cancer patients and 40 healthy controls using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Preoperative serum MMP-7 and MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in cancer patients than control groups (p<0.001). In contast, serum TIMP-1 levels were lower (p<0.001). Alteration in MMP-7, and MMP-9, and TIMP-1 production may contribute to tumor angiogenesis and be associated with clinic-pathological features.