Diagnostic Use of Selected Metalloproteinases in Endometrioid Ovarian Cancer

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.