Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) to increased risk for oral cancer, in light of recently found contribution of angiogenesis and thrombosis-related factors to the development of malignancies.
Materials and methods: The 1G/2G polymorphism in the MMP-1 gene, which influences its expression, was examined in 156 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and 141 healthy controls of comparable ethnicity (Greeks and Germans), gender and age.
Results: In comparison to controls, the detected 2G allele frequency was significantly lower in the patient group and in subgroups with early cancer stages, with positive family history of thrombophilia, with tobacco abuse and without alcohol abuse (p < 0.05). These findings were mainly due to a significant decrease in 2G/2G homozygotes despite a small increase in 1G/2G heterozygotes in the above groups.
Conclusion: These findings suggest a significant involvement of the MMP-1 -1607 1G/2G polymorphism in the increasing risk for oral cancer in the 1G allele European carriers.