Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2, -7 and -9 promoter polymorphisms in colorectal cancer in ethnic Kashmiri population — A case–control study and a mini review

• Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a pivotal role in the transformation and progression of tumors, especially during the invasion and metastasis
• Association of MMP2, MMP7 and MMP9 promoter SNPs with CRC susceptibility has been evaluated
• The heterozygous genotype (CT) of MMP2-1306 C/T SNP and variant genotype (GG) of MMP7-181A/G SNP was significantly associated with decreased risk of CRC [p = 0.05 & p = 0.02, respectively]
• The heterozygous genotype (CT) of MMP9–1562C/T SNP showed a significant association with increased risk of CRC [p = 0.02].
• Our results suggest that these MMP2, MMP7 and MMP9 promoter polymorphisms play a role as one of the key modulators of the risk of developing CRC in Kashmiri population

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that play a pivotal role in the transformation and progression of tumors at all stages, especially during the invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic association of MMP2, MMP7 and MMP9 promoter polymorphisms with colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility and development risk in ethnic Kashmiri population. The genotype frequencies of MMP2-1306C/T, MMP7-181A/G and MMP9-1562C/T SNPs were compared between 142 CRC patients and 184 healthy controls by using PCR-RFLP method. The association between all the three MMP promoter polymorphisms and the modulation of risk of CRC was found to be significant (p ≤ 0.05). The heterozygous genotype (CT) of MMP2-1306C/T SNP and variant genotype (GG) of MMP7-181A/G SNP showed a significant association with decreased risk for the development of CRC [OR, 0.61 (95%CI, 0.37-1.01); p = 0.05 and OR, 0.43 (95%CI, 0.20–0.90); p = 0.02, respectively] whereas the heterozygous genotype (CT) of MMP9-1562C/T SNP showed a significant association with increased risk for the development of colorectal cancer [OR, 1.88 (95%CI, 1.11-3.18); p = 0.02]. Further, the less common MMP9-1562T allele was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer [OR, 1.74 (95%CI, 1.15–2.62); p = 0.007]. Our results suggest that these MMP2, MMP7 and MMP9 promoter polymorphisms play a role as one of the key modulators of the risk of developing colorectal cancer in Kashmiri population.