BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9/ MMP-2 ratios are highly associated with alpha-fetoprotein levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B. In this study, we evaluate the clinical usefulness of this ratio as a biomarker in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODOLOGY: Serum samples from 181 chronic hepatitis B patients (52 healthy carriers, 47 chronic hepatitis patients, 50 cirrhosis patients, and 32 HCC patients) were collected. MMP-9/ MMP-2 ratio was determined by zymography. The results were analyzed using the Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Serum MMP-9/ MMP-2 ratios in HCC patients were significantly higher than those in healthy carriers, chronic hepatitis patients, and cirrhosis patients (p = 0.004, 0.034, and < 0.001, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity at the optimal cutoff (0.97) were 69.7% and 73.4%, respectively. Significantly higher MMP-9/ MMP-2 ratios were found in advanced, inoperable HCC patients, compared to those in early stage HCC patients (p = 0.005). No significant difference was found for alpha-fetoprotein levels between these two groups (p = 0.312). CONCLUSIONS: The serum MMP-9/ MMP-2 ratio can be used as an accessory diagnostic marker in hepatitis B virus-related HCC. This ratio is useful in distinguishing between patients with early stage HCC and those with advanced HCC.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9/ MMP-2 ratios are highly associated with alpha-fetoprotein levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B. In this study, we evaluate the clinical usefulness of this ratio as a biomarker in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODOLOGY: Serum samples from 181 chronic hepatitis B patients (52 healthy carriers, 47 chronic hepatitispatients, 50 cirrhosispatients, and 32 HCC patients) were collected. MMP-9/ MMP-2 ratio was determined by zymography. The results were analyzed using the Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Serum MMP-9/ MMP-2 ratios in HCC patients were significantly higher than those in healthy carriers, chronic hepatitispatients, and cirrhosispatients (p = 0.004, 0.034, and < 0.001, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity at the optimal cutoff (0.97) were 69.7% and 73.4%, respectively. Significantly higher MMP-9/ MMP-2 ratios were found in advanced, inoperable HCC patients, compared to those in early stage HCC patients (p = 0.005). No significant difference was found for alpha-fetoprotein levels between these two groups (p = 0.312). CONCLUSIONS: The serum MMP-9/ MMP-2 ratio can be used as an accessory diagnostic marker in hepatitis B virus-related HCC. This ratio is useful in distinguishing between patients with early stage HCC and those with advanced HCC.