Analysis of matrix metalloproteinases and related tissue inhibitors in cystic fluids of ovarian tumors.

Proteolytic activity of cystic neoplasms of the ovary appears to play a role in destruction of the extracellular matrix and tumor invasion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the enzymatic activities reflect the degrees of tumor malignancy. The author examined the activity and quantity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMPs) in cystic fluids of both benign and malignant epithelial ovarian tumors. The concentration of MMP-9 was statistically higher in mucinous carcinomas (p < 0.05) than in benign ones. TIMP-1, which combines with MMP-9, was also higher (p < 0.05) in malignancies than in benign ones. The ratios of MMP-9/MMP-2 and the concentrations of activated forms of MMPs well associated with the degrees of malignancy, while the mol ratios of TIMP-1/MMP-9 and TIMP-2/MMP-2 inversely correlated. Expressions of MMP-3 and/or trypsin in the fluids were frequently associated with activation of MMP-7 and MMP-9. These observations support the concept that the imbalance of TIMPs/MMPs and the activation of MMPs correlate with the biological malignancy of ovarian cystic tumors.