Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix and have an important role in tumour metastases. We investigated the role of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The serum samples of patients with HD (n = 12), NHL (n = 30) and healthy control (n = 22) were analysed for MMP-2 and MMP-9. An immunoassay method was used for the determination of MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels. No statistical significance was found between HD and NHL groups for levels of MMP-2. There were no relation between MMP-2, MMP-9 levels and clinical characteristics of patients. The mean MMP-9 levels were found to be 555.6 +/- 140 ng/ml, 446.6 +/- 53.6 ng/ml and 111.2 +/- 10.3 ng/ml in HD, NHL and control groups, respectively. Our results suggest that MMP-9 levels are substantially increased in HD and NHL when compared with controls and may probably be used for distinguishing the benign diseases from malign lymphomas.

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