Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of enzymes that mediate both physiological and pathological processes such as carcinogenesis. The role of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and (MMP-7) in the pathogenesis of breast cancer (BC) has been demonstrated, suggesting that they may be considered as potential markers of this condition. The aim of this study was to assess plasma concentrations and diagnostic utility of MMP-3 and MMP-7 in 100 patients with early-stage breast cancer with Luminal A subtype or Luminal B HER-negative subtype, before and after surgical treatment, and in the following control groups: patients with a benign tumor (fibroadenoma) and healthy subjects. The concentrations of MMP-3 and MMP-7 were referenced to the levels of the widely recognized marker for BC diagnosis CA 15-3. MMP-3 and MMP-7 was measured by ELISA method and CA 15-3 by CMIA. Plasma levels of MMP-7 were significantly higher in Luminal A and Luminal B HER2-negative subtype breast cancer patients as compared to the healthy group. MMP-7 demonstrated comparable but mostly higher to CA 15-3 or MMP-3 values of diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and AUC (0.6888 for Luminal A subtype; 0.7612 for Luminal B HER2-negative; 0.7250 for BC total group, respectively) in the groups tested. The combined use of the tested parameters resulted in a further increase in diagnostic criteria and AUC. These results suggest the usefulness of combining MMP-7 with CA 15-3 in the diagnostics of breast cancer, especially in Luminal B HER2-negative subtypes patients, as a new candidate for tumor markers.

Ovarian cancer (OC) has an extremely unfavourable prognosis. This is due to its asymptomatic course and lack of screening tests. Therefore, new methods are needed to diagnose OC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations and diagnostic utility of selected matrilysins and stromelysins in the diagnosis of OC in comparison with the classical markers CA125 and HE4. The study group included 100 patients with serous OC, 70 with serous cysts (BL), and 50 healthy women (HW). Selected MMPs were determined by ELISA, routine markers by CMIA. Ovarian cancer patients have elevated concentrations of MMP-7, MMP-26, MMP-10 as well as CA125 and HE4 in the total group and subgroups (stage I + II, and III + IV). The highest values of diagnostic parameters—SP, SE, NPV, PPV, and ACC, as compared to CA125 and HE4, were observed for MMP-7. Performing ROC analyses showed that the highest AUC values were observed for MMP-7, CA125, and HE4, in the whole group of patients and divided into stages I and II according to FIGO. Performing ROC analyses for groups III and IV according to FIGO was associated with an increase in AUC for the MMPs studied. Of the MMPs tested, MMP-7, MMP-26, and MMP-10 have the highest potential in diagnostics of serous ovarian cancer patients.

Background/Objectives: Endometrioid ovarian cancer (EnOC) is a late-diagnosed gynecological cancer with limited diagnostic methods that, when detected at an early stage, has a good prognosis. This study is the first to evaluate the plasma concentrations and diagnostic utility of selected metalloproteinases as new biomarkers for EnOC. Methods: The study group consisted of 50 newly diagnosed, untreated patients with EnOC; the control group consisted of 25 patients with endometrial cysts, 25 patients with serous cysts, and 50 healthy women. Selected matrilysins and stromelysins were determined by means of immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and routine markers (CA125 and HE4) using the chemiluminescence (CMIA) method. Results: Higher levels of MMP-7, MMP-10, MMP-11, and MMP-26 were found in patients with EnOC when compared to healthy women. Concentrations of MMP-7, MMP-10, and MMP-11 were higher in women with EnOC when compared to benign lesions (BL). The highest SE (98.55%), NPV (95.41%), ACC (57.58%), and AUC (0.9658) values were obtained for MMP-7. High values of diagnostic parameters were also obtained for MMP-11 and MMP-26. Conclusions: These results suggest the usefulness of MMP-7, MMP-26, and MMP-11 in the diagnosis of EnOC as new biomarkers in this pilot study.