MMP13 is a New Tumor Marker for Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is lead malignancy in women worldwide and is easily curable in its early stages when detected. Many attempts have been made by scientists to facilitate early diagnosis including but not limited to routine checks with highly advanced equipment. Recently, an emerging tool for early diagnosis suggested by scientists was the utilization of biomarkers, which are wither proteins, genes, or cells that are exclusively found when a certain disease is present. In case of breast cancer, matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and many other proteins were suspected of being associated, thus, further research was necessary to confirm. Studies have previously found that MMP13 exhibits the highest levels among all the other markers investigated due to its proliferative role in cell cycle. MMP13 is a blood tumor marker which makes it easy to detect, and potentially a readily available, noninvasive diagnostic tool. Methods: In this research, MMP13 levels in serum samples were measured using sandwich ELISA technique. Patients were 88 Egyptian breast cancer patients from Baheya hospital divided into three categories:18 benign (control), 35 malignant, and 35 metastatic. Results: The benign samples were used as control where normally MMP13 levels were found to be low. Malignant and metastatic patients had significantly high levels of MMP13 as speculated by previous research. Conclusion: Hence, this suggests MMP13 can be used as tumor marker for breast cancer patients.