The two articles (Span et al. 2004 and Schrohl et al. 2004) highlight the complexity and specificity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and TIMPs in cancer biology, diagnosis, and treatment. Both provide novel insights into these issues by focussing on TIMPs rather than MMPs and extend a growing number of reports that the roles played by TIMPs in tumour pathology may be much broader than the inhibition of MMP action on the extracellular matrix (ECM), and may extend to the regulation of MMP influence on many systems and potentially to MMPindependent functions. Specific TIMP-3 involvement in tamoxifen-induced apoptosis strongly contrasts the association between elevated TIMP-1 levels with poor outcome in breast cancer. Although candidate apoptotic mechanisms may elegantly explain the effect of TIMP-3 results, the reasons underlying the TIMP-1 result remain to be fully elucidated.
Opposing roles for specific TIMPs in breast cancer prognostic
MACKAY, ANDREW REAY
2005-01-01
Abstract
The two articles (Span et al. 2004 and Schrohl et al. 2004) highlight the complexity and specificity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and TIMPs in cancer biology, diagnosis, and treatment. Both provide novel insights into these issues by focussing on TIMPs rather than MMPs and extend a growing number of reports that the roles played by TIMPs in tumour pathology may be much broader than the inhibition of MMP action on the extracellular matrix (ECM), and may extend to the regulation of MMP influence on many systems and potentially to MMPindependent functions. Specific TIMP-3 involvement in tamoxifen-induced apoptosis strongly contrasts the association between elevated TIMP-1 levels with poor outcome in breast cancer. Although candidate apoptotic mechanisms may elegantly explain the effect of TIMP-3 results, the reasons underlying the TIMP-1 result remain to be fully elucidated.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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