Effect of Pemetrexed combined with cisplatin on serum levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with pemetrexed and cisplatin

Objective To investigate the changes of serum MMP-2 and TIMP-2 levels after chemotherapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin in elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods Serum MMP-2,TIMP-2 (with RIA)levels were determined in 62 elderly patients with NSCLC before and after chemotherapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin,and compared with the levels of 60 elderly patients with pulmonary benign lesions.Results The levels of MMP-2,TIMP-2 before chemotherapy in elderly patients with NSCLC were significantly higher than those with pulmonary benign lesions and the levels after chemotherapy(P ＜0.01).The levels after chemotherapy dropped markedly and approached those with pulmonary benign lesions.Conclusions The MMP-2,TIMP-2 levels in serums of elderly patients with NSCLC can be reduced significantly after chemotherapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin.It has a certain effect on inhibition the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer cell. Key words: Pemetrexed;  Cisplatin;  Elderly patient;  Non-small-cell lung cancer;  Matrix metalloprotease-2 ;  Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2