MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the clinical significance of determining the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and TIMP-2 in the peripheral blood of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Methods: Forty-nine patients with benign thyroid lesions and 57 patients with DTC were examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method preoperatively and 1 month after operation. Results: The levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in the peripheral blood of patients with DTC were significantly higher than those measured in patients with benign thyroid disease (P<0.05). After surgery, these levels in the peripheral blood of patients with benign thyroid lesions were not significantly changed (P>0.05). However, after operation, these levels in the peripheral blood of patients with DTC were significantly lower (P<0.05). These levels in the serum of patients with DTC which were tumor-node-metastasis stage, tumor diameter >= 1 cm, infiltrating capsula outside or existing lymph metastasis were significantly higher than those reported in patients with early tumor-node-metastasis stage, tumor diameter <1 cm or absence of lymph metastasis (P<0.05). Discussion: Detecting the levels of these factors in peripheral blood is helpful in the diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid lesions, and can be used as a basis for the prognosis of DTC.