Comparison of circulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels in untreated acute myeloid leukemia patients with remission status

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteases responsible for cleaving and rebuilding connective tissue components and also affect early carcinogenesis events, tumor development, growth, and neovascularization. The study aimed to evaluate the level of MMP-2 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in comparison with that in remission status, and healthy subjects, and to find its correlation with hematologic parameters. PATIENTS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: This study included sixty newly diagnosed AML patients. Remission status was assessed after induction chemotherapy. The overall survival (OS) was determined after 6 months. The plasma MMP-2 level was measured at diagnosis by enzyme immunoassay. Twenty-eight healthy individuals were recruited as a control group. RESULTS: Plasma MMP-2 was higher in AML patients than in healthy individuals (P = 0.005). The level of MMP-2 was much higher in the M5 subtype than in the other subtypes (P = 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference in the level of MMP-2 between patients who achieved complete remission and those who did not (P = 0.113). After 6 months, no significant difference in the initial MMP-2 levels was found between deceased and alive patients (P = 0.174). A positive correlation of MMP-2 level was found with white blood cell (WBC) count and hemoglobin (P = 0.0001 and 0.033, respectively) while insignificant with age, platelet count, and blast counts. CONCLUSIONS: The high MMP-2 level in AML patients suggests a possible role in the pathogenesis. However, it does not show any association with remission status or OS. The elevation was significantly associated with marrow monocytosis (M5) and correlated with a higher WBC count.