Elevated systemic levels of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor TIMP-1 correlate with clinical markers of cachexia in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer

Olga Prokopchuk, Barbara Grünwald, Ulrich Nitsche, Carsten Jäger, Oleksii L. Prokopchuk, Elaine C. Schubert, Helmut Friess, Marc E. Martignoni, Achim Krüger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) is a candidate diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we determined the possible association of systemic TIMP-1 levels with cachexia and jaundice, two common PDAC-associated conditions. Methods: Plasma TIMP-1 was measured by ELISA in patients diagnosed with PDAC (n = 36) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) (n = 25). Patients without pancreatic pathologies and known malignancies of other origin served as controls (n = 13). TIMP-1 levels in these patients were tested for asscociation with jaundice and chachexia, and furthermore correlated with cachexia-related clinical parameters such as weight loss and ferritin, parameters of lung function, hemoglobin and liver synthesis parameters. Results: TIMP-1 plasma levels were mostly higher in CP and PDAC patients with concomitant jaundice or cachexia. Elevated plasma TIMP-1 levels were also associated with clinical cachexia markers, including absolute and relative values of weight loss and lung function, as well as ferritin, hemoglobin, and cholinesterase levels. TIMP-1 levels significantly correlated with cachexia only in patients without jaundice. Jaundice also impaired the use of TIMP-1 as a prognostic marker in cancer patients. Relating to cachexia status alone, a slightly improved association of TIMP-1 levels with survival of PDAC patients was observed. Conclusion: This retrospective study reports for the first time that plasma levels of TIMP-1 are associated with pancreatic lesion-induced cachexia in patients without jaundice. TIMP-1 is counterindicated as a survival marker in patients with jaundice.

Original languageEnglish
Article number128
JournalBMC Cancer
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Feb 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cachexia biomarker
  • Jaundice
  • Pancreas
  • TIMP-1

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Elevated systemic levels of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor TIMP-1 correlate with clinical markers of cachexia in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this