Serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in complex with the inhibitor (MMP-2:TIMP-2) as prognostic markers in bladder cancer

Objectives: To examine whether the circulating TIMP-2 or MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex associate with disease-free or cause-specific survival in bladder cancer patients. Design and methods: Levels of circulating TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex from 50 patients and 44 healthy volunteers were measured by ELISA and compared with the clinical data. Results: In cancer patients the levels of TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex were significantly lower than in healthy volunteers (p = < 0.0001). Low TIMP-2 levels and low MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex levels correlated significantly with poor prognosis (p = 0.0032, p = 0.0022, respectively). The 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 67% and 60% in patients with a high serum level for TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 versus 18% and 20% in those with low levels of TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex. Conclusions: The results indicate that TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex associate with favorable clinical course and could be used as a novel prognostic indicators in bladder cancer.