Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1, -2, and -9 gene polymorphism in papillary thyroid cancers (PTC)

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can affect early events in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion and/or metastasis. In this study we attempt to explain the relationship of the MMP-1, -2, and -9 gene polymorphism with prognostic factors in papillary thyroid cancer patients. Our study included 42 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 145 healthy controls. The clinical history of patients with PTC and control group was investigated with respect to age, sex, presence of familial thyroid cancer, and exposure to radiation. MMP gene polymorphism analyses from peripheral blood leucocyte samples were carried out at the Molecular Medicine Research Laboratory of Ege University. No difference was found between PTC patient group and control groups with respect to MMP-1, -2, and -9 gene polymorphisms. Only, 1G/1G genotype was found to be statistically high in control group at MMP-1 gene polymorphism (P = 0.029). But, also no significant correlation was also found between MMP-1, -2, and -9 gene polymorphism and prognostic factors such as age, male/ female, multicentricity, and capsule invasion. Our data show that no significant difference was found in prognostic factors and MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 gene polymorphisms in PTC patients. © 2008 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.