Serum metalloproteinases and their inhibitors: markers for malignant potential

Death from cancer results from the development of metastases or local progression of tumour. Metastasis and local progression may result from the inappropriate activity of metalloproteinases released by tumour cells or of their regulatory peptides. We have developed quantitative assays for interstitial collagenase, stromelysin 1 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1 and 2, which have allowed the study of serum levels of these proteins. Sera from 40 patients with prostatic cancer, stored prior to and after 6 and 12 months' treatment with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist and an anti-androgen were analysed. Levels were compared with two control groups, comprising 21 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and 56 age-matched hospital attenders without arthritis or cancer. Contrasting levels have been found in patients with prostatic cancer as compared with hospital controls without cancer and patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with prostatic cancer had higher levels of TIMP-1 and collagenase (P = 0.0001) and lower levels of TIMP-2 (P = 0.003) than controls. Patients with metastatic cancer had significantly higher levels of collagenase than those without metastases (P = 0.02). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had significantly higher levels of stromelysin than either controls (P = 0.002) or patients with cancer (P = 0.008). Serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 in combination with collagenase levels was as sensitive as prostate-specific antigen as a marker of metastatic disease. These findings provide a basis for the investigation of the role of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in other malignancies.