Role of Matrix Metallopeptidase-2 Genotypes in Taiwanese Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) has been reported to plays a critical role in the metastatic behaviors of cancer via regulation of the extracellular matrix. However, its genotypes have seldom been examined in colorectal cancer (CRC). We examined the role of MMP2 promoter -1306 (rs243865) and -735 (rs2285053) genotypes in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Materials and methods: Genotypes of MMP2 were determined by typical polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology in 362 CRC cases and 362 age-, sex- and behavior-matched controls.

Results: The genotypic analysis showed that MMP2 -1306 CT and TT genotypes were significantly associated with an increased CRC risk (odds ratios=1.41 and 3.55, 95% confidence intervals=1.02-1.96 and 1.75-7.19, and p=0.0482 and p=0.0004, respectively). The allelic frequency analysis showed that the T allele for MMP2 -1306 increased CRC risk (odds ratio=1.71, 95% confidence interval=1.32-2.23, p=4.89×10⁵). Stratification analysis showed that MMP2 -1306 genotypes were specifically associated with alcohol drinking, and metastatic status among patients with CRC. There was no association with MMP2 -735.

Conclusion: The MMP2 -1306 genotype serves as a novel predictive marker for CRC risk among Taiwanese, and patients who have a tendency to undergo metastasis.