MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex levels in epidermoid lung cancer

Aim: To investigate serum levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex in epidermoid lung cancer and determine whether one of these markers or any combination of them can be used as a prognostic factor and in the management of this disease.Materials and methods: Twenty-eight patients with non-small cell lung cancer and 21 healthy, age-matched individuals participated in this study. MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex levels were measured in the sera of the patients and controls with the ELISA technique.Results: MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex levels were significantly elevated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer compared to the controls (P = 0.018, 0.041, and 0.034, respectively).Conclusion: MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex levels increased not only in lung tissues, but in the sera of the patients with non-small cell lung cancer. However, further studies are needed to fully evaluate the expression rates and diagnostic efficiency of these parameters in different histopathological subtypes of this cancer and in prospective research with a large number of participants.