Background:

Based on the critical role of MT4-MMP and MT6-MMP in carcinogenesis, we focused on MT4-MMP and MT6-MMP circulating levels in patients with thyroid nodules.

Methods:

Plasma samples were collected from three groups, including papillary thyroid cancer (PTC; n= 30), multinodular goiter (MNG; n= 30), and healthy subjects (n= 22). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to obtain the concentration of MT4-MMP and MT6-MMP in the three groups.

Results:

Analysis of data demonstrated increased levels of MT4-MMP (PTC: 4.90±1.35, MNG: 4.89±1.37, and healthy: 3.13±1.42) and MT6-MMP (PTC: 8.29±2.50, MNG: 7.34±2.09, and healthy: 5.01±2.13) in thyroid nodules by comparison with healthy subjects (P< 0.05). There were no significant differences in the levels of the two MT-MMPs between PTC and MNG (P> 0.05). Increased plasma levels of MT4-MMP (odds ratio= 2.48; 95% CI: 1 …

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10685831/