The significant correlation between TIMP-1 expression and the presence of lymph node metastases, as well as that between TIMP-1 plasma concentration and stage of cancer histological differentiation, might indicate the importance of this molecule as a prognostic factor during carcinogenesis.
STAT3, MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were significantly associated with the differentiation of GC cells and lymph node metastasis, but not related to age, gender and tumor size.
Compared to low expression, high tissue expression of MMP-9 protein was associated with lymph node metastasis and higher tumor stage; and high tissue expression of TIMP-1 was associated with a lower OS rate.
Densitometric analysis revealed MMP-2 expression and lymph node metastases to be positively and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 to be negatively correlated with lymph node metastases.
There were statistically significant correlations between TIMP1 protein expression and early- and advanced-stage tumors, lymph node metastasis and 3-year survival rate (p <0.05).
Cox proportional hazard analysis identified TIMP-1 expression as an independent factor for cause-specific survival (odds ratio 5.2, P = 0.011), similar to microvessel density, pT4, and lymph node metastasis.
In conclusion, our data support the multifunctional role of TIMP-1, particularly its growth-promoting activity, on the basis of its significant correlation with lymph node metastasis and adverse prognosis.
High levels of TIMP-1 mRNA showed significant correlation with the presence of lymph node metastases (P = 0.0067), development of distant metastases (P = 0.014), and early death of the disease (P = 0.020).
Higher levels of TIMP-1 mRNA were positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and the five-year survival, and higher levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA were positively correlated with the Dukes classification.