TIMP-3 and endocrine therapy of breast cancer: an apoptosis connection emerges.

The tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) control the activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and as such, they have been recognized as potential suppressors of angiogenesis and tumour invasion and metastasis. However, TIMP-3 has several unique properties that set it apart from other TIMPs, including its ability to bind to extracellular matrix, inhibit related adamalysin metalloproteinases (ADAMs), and induce apoptosis. New data suggest that high levels of TIMP-3 mRNAs in human breast tumours are associated with success of adjuvant endocrine therapy, but not chemotherapy. Copyright 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.