Previous studies have found that matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) can be considered as biomarkers and indices of disease progression in several human cancers. In this study, we investigated the plasma levels of MMP-2 and TGF-β and their correlation in 49 primary cutaneous melanoma and 10 metastatic melanoma. Plasma MMP-2 and TGF-β levels in patients with primary melanoma were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. These protein levels were significantly higher in patients with metastatic melanoma. A positive correlation between plasma levels of MMP-2 and TGF-β in melanoma patients supports the hypothesis that TGF-β triggers the release of MMP-2. The immunohistochemistry analysis shows that MMP-2 and TGF-β were highly expressed in tumor tissues as well as in matched plasma samples. This finding suggests that these proteins are released from tumor cells. Overall, our data indicate that MMP-2 and TGF-β may represent novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in melanoma and the determination of their concentration could be a useful diagnostic and prognostic indicator. TGF-β, leading the tissue invasion mediated by MMP-2, is a strong promoter of tumor progression. Therefore, reducing or blocking the activity of TGF-β may represent a promising target in therapeutic strategies for limiting the growth of melanoma.

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