Progression of non-small cell lung cancer: diagnostic and prognostic utility of matrix metalloproteinase-2, C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is known to degrade type IV collagen, which is a major component of the cellular basement membrane, and to be involved in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. On the other hand, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) are acute inflammatory biomarkers that increase in various conditions including infection, inflammation, malignancy and tissue disturbance. In the present study, we examined the serum levels of MMP-2, CRP and SAA in patients with localized and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to establish the clinical significance and changes in these biomarkers during NSCLC progression. In this study, 24 NSCLC patients were diagnosed at the Kitasato University Hospital and compared with 13 healthy controls. Measurement of MMP-2 levels in serum was determined by measuring pro-MMP-2 using a one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay. CRP and SAA levels in the serum were measured by latex nephelometry. The serum levels of MMP-2, CRP and SAA in metastatic NSCLC patients were significantly higher than in localized NSCLC patients (p<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between serum MMP-2 and CRP levels as well as SAA levels in metastatic NSCLC patients (p<0.01). Therefore, quantitation of MMP-2, CRP and SAA in NSCLC patients may be an auxiliary indicator to monitor tumor progression and poor prognosis of NSCLC disease.