Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship of expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7),
tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colon cancer and
its predecessor colon polyp.
Materials and methods: This study included 29 patients with colon polyp, 19 patients with colon cancer
and 65 healthy control subjects. The expressions of MMP-7, TIMP-1 and COX-2 were investigated by
real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results: The expressions of TIMP-1, COX-2 and MMP-7 levels were significantly higher in polyp tissue
compared to normal tissue (p = 0.024, p < 0.001, p = 0.009, respectively). Expression of TIMP-1, COX-2
and MMP-7 in cancer tissues were higher than both normal tissue and polyp tissue (p = 0.009 and
p = 0.001; p < 0.001 and p < 0.001; p = 0.029 and p = 0.008, respectively). In the cancer group, no
significant relationship was detected between metastasis and MMP-7, TIMP-1 and COX-2 expressions
(p > 0.05). In the polyp tissues, no significant relationship was detected between the histologic type and
size of polyps and MMP-7, TIMP-1 and COX-2 levels (p > 0.05). The areas under the receiver operating
characteristic (ROC) curve for the cancer group were 0.821 for TIMP-1, 0.888 for COX-2, and 0.880
for MMP-7 (p = 0 < 0.001).
Conclusion: A role and implication of expressions of MMP-7, COX-2 and TIMP-1 in colon cancer is
predicted.