Urinary matrix metalloproteinase-7 level is associated with the presence of metastasis in bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: • To assess the presence of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 in urine samples of patients with bladder cancer and to investigate the correlation between MMP-7 urine concentration and clinicopathological variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • The presence of MMP-7 in the urine of patients with bladder cancer was tested in 32 representative cases using immunoprecipitation followed by western blot analysis. • Urinary MMP-7 concentration levels were analyzed in 132 patients with bladder cancer and 96 controls using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: • MMP-7 levels did not differ significantly between patients with localized bladder cancer and controls (P= 0.174). On the other hand, we detected a fourfold, significantly elevated MMP-7 concentration in urine samples of patients with bladder cancer with regional or distant metastasis (P= 0.003). • Using a threshold value of 6.88 ng/ml, determined by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, a specificity of 82% and a sensitivity of 78% were observed. • Western blot analysis revealed that the 55-kDa tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 complexed MMP-7 is the dominant form of urinary matrilysin. CONCLUSIONS: • MMP-7 is present in detectable amounts in the urine of patients with bladder cancer. Its concentrations are significantly elevated in patients with metastatic disease. • Determination of urinary matrilysin level could help to detect bladder cancer metastasis, and may therefore provide a more reliable prognosis and influence therapy decisions.