MMP testing for malignancy prediction in cats with tumours.

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that play key roles in angiogenesis, tumor invasion, and metastasis in a wide variety of species. Jankowski et al at the department of clinical sciences, Colorado State University, Ft Collins have evaluated the role of the matrix metalloproteins in tumour, stromal tissue and serum from cats with malignancies.

Specifically, the investigators evaluated the concentrations of MMP 2 and 9 in tumor, normal stromal tissue, and serum from tumor-bearing cats.

The investigators carried out the study on the basis of a hypothesis that serum concentrations of pro and active forms of MMPs 2 and 9 would accurately predict MMP concentrations in tumor tissue and that these MMP concentrations would correlate with the histopathologic grade of the malignancies. The investigators found the serum MMP concentrations cats with malignancies to be higher than those from normal cats. However, with reference to using MMP concentrations, to predicting histologic grades of malignancies, a poor correlation was observed.

References for further reading
J Vet Intern Med 2002 Jan-Feb;16(1):105-8. Matrix metalloproteinase activity in tumor, stromal tissue, and serum from cats with malignancies. Jankowski MK, Ogilvie GK, Lana SE, Fettman MJ, Hansen RA, Powers BE, Mitchener KM, Lovett SD, Richardson KL, Parsley L, Walton JA. Animal Cancer Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft Collins 80523, USA.