Evaluation of the serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-7(mmp-7) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Abstract

Worldwide, there is a growing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).HCC represents more than 90% of primary liver cancers. Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV in the world and the prevalence of HCC is increasing in the last years. Alpha fetoprotein may be elevated in chronic liver disease, especially in viral hepatitis, in the absence of HCC. The relatively poor specificity of conventional alpha fetoproteins levels has led to a search for more sensitive and specific markers. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) consist of a multigene family of zinc dependent extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling endopeptidases implicated in pathological processes, such as carcinogenesis. In this regard, their activity plays a pivotal role in tumor growth and the multistep processes of invasion and metastasis, including proteolytic degradation of ECM, alteration of the cell–cell and cell–ECM interactions, migration and angiogenesis. The MMPs are reported to be overexpressed in many types of human malignant tumors including HCC and have been shown to participate in tumor invasion and the metastatic processes