Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Expression as an Independent Prognostic Biomarker in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Background: To investigate whether Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression serves as a poor prognostic factor in ovarian cancer patients. Methods: We examined 74 patients who underwent surgery for ovarian cancer at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Hospital, between 2017 and 2022. Serum MMP-1 levels and tumor tissue MMP-1 expression were analyzed for correlation with clinical outcomes. Results: Elevated serum MMP-1 concentration was identified as an independent poor prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). However, MMP-1 expression in tumor tissue was not an independent prognostic factor for either OS or progression-free survival (PFS). Preoperative serum MMP-1 levels showed a positive correlation with CA125, indicating that the combination of these markers may be useful for predicting prognosis. Conclusion: Elevated serum MMP-1 concentration could be considered a poor prognostic factor in ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages because of the lack of subjective symptoms in early stages. MMP-1 is involved in the activation and release of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors, inducing tumor invasion and metastasis. High serum MMP-1 levels have been previously reported as a poor prognostic factor in other malignancies.