Quantitation of TIMP-1 in plasma of healthy blood donors and patients with advanced cancer

Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors: past lessons and future prospects in breast cancer

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a central role in invasion and metastasis. However, despite striking activity in preclinical models, the clinical development of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs) has been difficult. The results of important phase III trials are now emerging and it is therefore opportune to review the current state of the MMPIs. In this article the evidence for the role of MMPs in the progression of breast cancer, the development of the MMPIs and the recent phase III results are discussed. Despite the problems encountered it is hoped that the MMPIs may yet provide another mechanism for the long-term control of micrometastatic disease. Furthermore, important lessons can be learnt from their development that are relevant to the development of other biological agents.

Differential expression and localization of TIMP-1 and TIMP-4 in human gliomas

Studies have suggested that an imbalance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may contribute to the malignant phenotype of gliomas. In this study, we have undertaken a detailed analysis of expression of the TIMP family in normal human brain and malignant gliomas at both the mRNA and protein level. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analyses of total RNA from surgical tumour specimens revealed unique expression patterns for the 4 members of the TIMP family, with TIMP-1 and -4 showing positive and negative correlations, respectively, with glioma malignancy. By RT-PCR, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 expression did not change with tumour grade. In situ hybridization localized TIMP-1 to glial tumour cells and also to the surrounding tumour vasculature. TIMP-4 transcripts were predominantly localized to tumour cells, though minor expression was found in vessels. Recombinant TIMP-4 reduced invasion of U251 glioma cells through Matrigel, and U87 clones overexpressing TIMP-4 showed reduced invasive capacity in vitro. TIMP-4, but not TIMP-1, blocked Membrane Type-1-MMP-mediated progelatinase-A (MMP-2) activation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The differential expression and localization of individual TIMPs may contribute to the pathophysiology of human malignant gliomas, particularly with regard to tumour vascularization.

Bacteria-induced release of white cell--and platelet-derived vascular endothelial growth factor in vitro

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Poor prognosis after resection of primary colorectal cancer may be related to the combination of perioperative blood transfusion and subsequent development of infectious complications. White blood cell--and platelet-derived cancer growth substances, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), may be involved in this process. Therefore, we studied the in vitro release of VEGF from white blood cells and platelets stimulated by bacterial antigens and supernatants from stored red cell components.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight units of whole blood (WB) and eight units of buffy-coat-depleted red cell (SAGM) blood were donated by healthy blood donors. Subsequently, half of every unit was leucocyte depleted by filtration, and all 32 half-units were stored under standard conditions for 35 days. Just after storage, and on days 7, 21 and 35 during storage, aliquots of the supernatants were removed from the units and frozen at -80 degrees C. WB from other healthy donors was stimulated for 2 h with sodium chloride (controls), with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone, or with LPS plus supernatants from the non-filtered or prestorage leucofiltered WB units (diluted 1:10), or from non-filtered or prestorage leucofiltered SAGM blood units (diluted 1:20) stored for 0, 7, 21, or 35 days, respectively. Similar assays were performed using Staphylococcus aureus-derived protein A as a stimulatory antigen. The concentration of VEGF was determined in supernatants from stored blood and in assay supernatants by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The concentration of VEGF increased significantly (P < 0.0001) in a storage time-dependent manner in non-filtered WB and SAGM blood, while the increase was abrogated by prestorage leucofiltration. The supernatant concentration of VEGF was significantly increased in LPS-stimulated (P = 0.002) and in protein A-stimulated (P < 0.0001) assays compared with controls. Addition of supernatants from stored, non-filtered WB or SAGM significantly increased the assay supernatant VEGF concentration storage-time dependently (P = 0.006) in LPS assays. In protein A assays, only supernatants from non-filtered WB significantly increased the assay supernatant VEGF concentration storage-time dependently (P = 0.022). This additional effect by supernatants from stored blood components was not observed with prestorage leucofiltered blood.

CONCLUSIONS

Extracellular VEGF may accumulate in non-filtered red cell components, but this can be prevented by prestorage leucocyte depletion using filtration. In addition, bacterial antigens appear to induce release of VEGF from white blood cells and platelets. Addition of supernatants from stored, non-filtered WB or SAGM blood may increase the VEGF levels in a storage time-dependent manner, while prestorage leucofiltration may prevent further increase by supernatants.

Matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors - expression, role and regulation in human malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Human malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, which vary in their clinical behavior and pathophysiology. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) have been shown to play a role in the pathophysiology and clinical aggressiveness of human NHL. In this setting, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 appear to be the most important members of the MMP and TIMP families, and overexpression of both correlates with a poor clinical outcome of patients with NHL. MMP-9 and TIMP-1, however, act through different mechanisms and are produced by different cell types. Expression of both is upregulated by interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine that is known as one of the factors involved in the pathophysiology of human NHL. In this review we summarize the complex regulation of MMP and TIMP expression in human NHL and propose a mechanism by which MMP-9, TIMP-1 and IL-6 may influence the biology of these tumors.

Preoperative serum CD26 levels: diagnostic efficiency and predictive value for colorectal cancer

CD26 is an ectoenzyme with dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity expressed on a variety of cell types. Although the function of the high concentration of serum-soluble CD26 (sCD26) is unknown, it may be related to the cleavage of biologically active polypeptides. As CD26 or enzymatic activity levels were previously associated with cancer, we examined the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of preoperative sCD26 measurements by ELISA in colorectal carcinoma patients. We found a highly significant difference between sCD26 levels in healthy donors (mean 559.7 +/- 125.5 microg l(-1)) and cancer patients (mean 261.7 +/- 138.1 microg l(-1)) (P< 0.001). A cut-off at 410 microg l(-1)gave 90% sensitivity with 90% specificity which means that the diagnostic efficiency of sCD26 is higher than that shown by other markers, particularly in patients at early stages. Moreover, sCD26 as a variable is not related with Dukes' stage classification, age, gender, tumour location or degree of differentiation. With a follow-up of 2 years until recurrence, preliminary data show that sCD26 can be managed as a prognostic variable of early carcinoma patients. In addition, the origin of sCD26 is discussed.

Plasma TIMP-1-a marker of metastasis in colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

To assess a potential role for plasma assay of TIMP-1 and MMP-9 as markers of disease presence and disease stage in colorectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Plasma concentration of  TIMP-1 and MMP-9 was measured in 41 patients with proven colorectal cancer and in 20 age/sex-matched controls. In the 38 cancer patients who underwent laparotomy, portal plasma samples were collected in addition to peripheral venous samples, to assess whether these might be a more sensitive indicator of disease severity.

RESULTS

In samples taken preoperatively, systemic plasma levels of both TIMP-1 and MMP-9 were significantly elevated in cancer patients compared with controls (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001), respectively. Systemic and portal plasma TIMP-1 levels were significantly higher in those with metastatic disease compared with those with localized disease (P=0.0248 and P=0.0382). Elevated levels of TIMP-1 in systemic blood were seen in those with muscle-invading tumours compared with more superficial lesions (P=0.0349). Plasma MMP-9 levels did not correlate with clinicopathological features.

CONCLUSION

TIMP-1 and MMP-9 levels were significantly elevated in the plasma of patients with colorectal cancer. Metastatic disease is associated with significantly higher plasma TIMP-1 than is localized disease. Sampling of portal blood is of no additional benefit when measuring MMP-9 enzyme levels in colorectal cancer.