Expression of
matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in
tongue cancer cells has been associated with an improved prognosis. MMP-8 is inhibited by tissue inhibitor of
matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and elevated levels of
TIMP-1 in blood have been associated with poor prognosis in many
cancers. We wished to evaluate the usefulness of peripheral blood MMP-8 and
TIMP-1 levels as well as the genotypes of MMP8 and TIMP1 in predicting prognosis in
head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (
HNSCC). Plasma concentrations of MMP-8 and
TIMP-1 were analyzed in 136
HNSCC patients. MMP8 and TIMP1 genotypes were determined by analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in peripheral blood
DNA. The mean follow-up time was 3.3years. We found that plasma MMP-8 level did not predict survival but that
TIMP-1 level was associated with survival. The adjusted hazard ratio of death scored as a continuous variable on the log(10) scale was 23.2 (95% CI 1.88-286, P=0.01) and that of MMP-8 1.24 (95% CI 0.54-2.84, P=0.61). Immunohistochemical staining showed that
TIMP-1 was expressed in vascular endothelium of
tumor.
TIMP-1 levels were associated with TIMP1 genotype in women but not in men. MMP8 genotype did not correlate with survival or MMP-8 level. Plasma
TIMP-1 levels predict survival in
HNSCC.
TIMP-1 expression is genetically controlled in women. As
TIMP-1 inhibits the activity of MMP-8 and it also functions as a
growth factor, it may directly influence
HNSCC progression.