Research Article

Matrix Metalloproteinases and Stress Hormones in Lung Cancer Progression

Figure 4

MMP-12 and MMP-14 plasma concentrations. MMP-12 (a) and MMP-14 (b) were significantly decreased in LAC patients compared to healthy subjects (). There were no significant differences among cancer groups in MMP-12 concentrations. Contrastingly, TS and PS groups showed higher MMP-14 concentrations than the N group († and ‡, respectively). Bars represent the mean ± standard error of the mean. Abbreviations: MMP: matrix metalloproteinase; C: control group; LAC: lung adenocarcinoma; W: LAC associated with wood smoke exposure; N: LAC patients with no recognizable risk factor; TS: LAC associated with tobacco smoking; PS: LAC associated with passive smoking; TW: LAC associated with tobacco smoking and wood smoke exposure.
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