Preoperative plasma TIMP-1 is an independent prognostic indicator in patients with primary colorectal cancer: a prospective validation study

Helgi Birgisson, Hans J. Nielsen, Ib Jarle Christensen, Bengt Glimelius, Nils Brunner

    42 Citations (Scopus)
    1777 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Background: Previous studies have suggested plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) as a stage independent prognostic marker in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The aim was to validate plasma TIMP-1 and serum carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) levels as prognostic indicators in an independent population-based cohort of patients with CRC. Patients and methods: During 2000-2003, plasma and serum were collected preoperatively from 322 patients treated for primary CRC. TIMP-1 and CEA levels were determined by validated ELISA platforms. Results: High TIMP-1 and CEA levels each associated with poor overall survival (OS); TIMP-1 (hazard ratio (HR) 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-2.7) and CEA (HR 1.2; 95% CI 1.1-1.3), and disease-free survival (DFS); TIMP-1 (HR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.5-2.6) and CEA (HR 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1-1.4) in univariate analyses. In stratified analyses of stages II and III, TIMP-1 levels associated significantly with OS and DFS in stages II and III, associations were not found for CEA. Multivariate analysis for OS, including TIMP-1 and CEA levels and clinico-pathological baseline variables, revealed significant association of TIMP-1 (HR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3-2.4) but not CEA levels. Conclusions: This independent prospective validation study confirms the significant association between preoperative plasma TIMP-1 levels and survival of CRC patients: TIMP-1 provided stronger prognostic information than CEA. Thus, this study brings plasma TIMP-1 to the next level of evidence for its clinical use as a prognostic marker in CRC patients.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
    Volume46
    Issue number18
    Pages (from-to)3323 –3331
    Number of pages9
    ISSN0959-8049
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010

    Keywords

    • Former LIFE faculty

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