Genetic Polymorphism of MMP2 Gene and Susceptibility to Prostate Cancer

Background and aims: The polymorphic genetic variants of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) can play critical roles in development and progression of cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate if any association exists between MMP2 -1306/T and risk of prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: This case-control study comprised a total number of 241 subjects, including 102 patients with PCa and 139 controls with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MMP2 genotypes were detected by RFLP.

Results: There is no significant difference between different genotypes of MMP2 polymorphism and risk of developing PCa (p = 0.08). Although these genotypes increased the risk of developing PCa 79% (CT vs. CC) and 54% (TT vs. CC), none had a significant effect (p = 0.09 and p = 1 respectively). There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies between patients with low and high degrees of PCa (p = 0.4). Therefore, this polymorphism cannot be considered as a protective factor for PCa metastasis. It seems that MMP2 polymorphism has no protective effect on the grading of the tumor (p = 0.8). Our results indicated that MMP2 polymorphism had no role in the vascular invasion of PCa.

Conclusion: We found no association between MMP2 polymorphism and cancer risk, overall or by grade, stage or age of diagnosis. Finally, there was no association between the different genotypes and PSA plasma levels among cases or controls. Further evaluations with larger samples from our population may illuminate the effects of polymorphisms on PCa risk and thus help early diagnosis, follow-up and prognostic determinations for PCa patients.