Selected Elements of the Tumor Microenvironment (MMP-2, MMP-7, TIMP-2, CXCL-9, CXCL-10) in the Serum of Pediatric Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
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In recent years, researchers have been paying special attention to the tumor microenvironment (TME). One of the most important factors contributing to the development and progression of cancer is the destruction of elements of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The most important substances involved in regulating the extracellular matrix degradation process are extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs). In the process of cancer cell migration, chemokines secreted by target tissues, as well as the profile of chemokine receptors presented on cancer cells, play a key role. In the presented work, five components of the TME were selected: MMP-2, MMP-7, TIMP-2, CXCL-9, and CXCL-10. In the years 2018-2021, peripheral blood samples were collected before the start of treatment and then on day 33 of intensive treatment from 31 patients diagnosed with ALL. The results indicate that the levels of MMP-2, MMP-7, and TIMP-2 did not statistically significantly change before and during treatment of ALL patients. The decrease in CXCL-9 and CXCL-10 levels in the patients' serum on the 33rd day of therapy turned out to be statistically significant. Our study indicates that serum is also a valuable material for the evaluation of these substances. Conclusions: CXCL-9 and CXCL-10 could be used as one of markers for monitoring the response to treatment and a potential marker of ALL recurrence in pediatric patients. The role of MMP-2, MMP-7, and TIMP-2 in the assessment of response to therapy in children with ALL has not been confirmed.