Serum matrix metalloproteinase 8 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1: Potential markers for malignant transformation of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and for prognosis of laryngeal cancer.

Background: Biomarkers that could predict malignant transformation of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) would be useful in patient follow‐up. We investigated whether serum matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP‐8) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP‐1) could predict malignant transformation of RRP and whether they associate with survival in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) without preexisting RRP. Methods: We analyzed serum MMP‐8 (S‐MMP‐8) and serum TIMP‐1 (s‐TIMP‐1) in 114 patients: 55 were treated for RRP and 59 for LSCC without preexisting RRP. Five patients with RRP developed LSCC during follow‐up. Results: Elevated S‐MMP‐8 level in RRP was associated with malignant transformation (P = .01). Compared to patients with RRP, S‐MMP‐8 in patients with LSCC was significantly higher (P < .001). Increased S‐TIMP‐1 level in LSCC was associated with poor overall survival (P = .02) and recurrence‐free survival (P = .05). Conclusion: In RRP, high S‐MMP‐8 may predict malignant transformation. In LSCC, elevated S‐TIMP‐1 is connected to poor survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]