Correlation of TIMP1-MMP2/MMP9 Gene Expression Axis Changes with Treatment Efficacy and Survival of NSCLC Patients

In the course of lung cancer, normal cells are transformed into cancerous ones, and changes occur in the microenvironment, including the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is not only a scaffold for cells, but also a reservoir of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are among the elements that enable ECM remodeling. The publication focuses on the problem of changes in the gene expression of MMP2, MMP9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP1) in the blood of NSCLC patients during therapy (one year after surgical resection of the tumor). The paper also analyzes differences in the expression of the studied genes in the tumor tissue, as well as data collected in publicly available databases. The results of blood tests showed no differences in the expression of the tested genes during therapy; however, changes were observed in cancerous tissue, which was characterized by higher expression of MMP2 and MMP9, compared to non-cancerous tissue, and unchanged expression of TIMP1. Nevertheless, higher expression of each of the studied genes was associated with shorter patient survival. Interestingly, it was not only the increased expression of metalloproteinase genes, but also the increased expression of the metalloproteinase inhibitor (TIMP1) that was unfavorable for patients.