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Matrix metalloproteinase–1 is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer

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Abstract

Colorectal cancer is one of the commonest malignant tumors and has a relatively poor prognosis. The outcome depends on the extent of local and particularly metastatic tumor spread. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of closely related enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix and are considered to be important in facilitating tumor invasion and spread1–3. Using immunohistochemistry we have investigated the occurrence in colorectal cancer of MMP–1 (interstitial collagenase). Our monoclonal antibody was prepared against a synthetic peptide corresponding to an amino acid sequence specific for MMP–1 and was selected to react in formalin–fixed wax–embedded sections, thus allowing use in diagnostic histopathology and also enabling access to archival material. We found that the presence of MMP–1 in colorectal cancer is associated with a poor prognosis (P = 0.006) and has prognostic value independent of Dukes stage. One MMP inhibitor that strongly inhibits MMP–1 has already been shown to inhibit growth of human colon cancer xenografts in nude mice4. Our results suggest that treatment of those individuals whose colon tumors produce MMP–1 with MMP inhibitors is a therapeutic strategy worth pursuing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB9 2ZD, UK

    Graeme I. Murray & Pauline O'Neil

  2. Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB9 2ZD, UK

    Margaret E. Duncan, William T. Melvin & John E. Fothergill

Authors
  1. Graeme I. Murray
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  2. Margaret E. Duncan
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  3. Pauline O'Neil
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  4. William T. Melvin
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  5. John E. Fothergill
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Murray, G., Duncan, M., O'Neil, P. et al. Matrix metalloproteinase–1 is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. Nat Med 2, 461–462 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0496-461

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0496-461

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