Plasma matrix metalloproteinase 1 improves the detection and survival prediction of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

This study aimed to identify noninvasive protein markers capable of detecting the presence and prognosis of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC). Analyzing microarray expression data collected from 17-pair ESCC specimens, we identified one protein, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1), as a possibly useful marker. Plasma MMP1 was then measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 210 ESCC patients and 197 healthy controls. ESCC patients had higher mean levels of MMP1 than controls (8.7 ± 7.5 vs. 6.7 ± 4.9 ng/mL, p < 0.0001). Using the highest quartile level (9.67 ng/mL) as cut-off, we found a 9.0-fold risk of ESCC in those with higher plasma MMP1 after adjusting for covariates (95% confidence interval = 2.2, 36.0). Heavy smokers and heavy drinkers with higher plasma MMP1 had 61.4- and 31.0 times the risk, respectively, than non-users with lower MMP1. In the survival analysis, compared to those with MMP1 ≤ 9.67 ng/mL, ESCC patients with MMP1 > 9.67 ng/mL had a 48% increase in the risk of ESCC death (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.04-2.10). In conclusion, plasma MMP1 may serve as a noninvasive marker of detecting the presence and predicting the survival of ESCC.