Aim of the study: determination of levelsofsometissuegrowth factors, fibrinolyticsystemindicesand MMP-3 for specifi- cation of the role of their changes in moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the rectum. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Levels of growth factors and neoangiogenesis, tissue fibrinolyticsystemindicesand MMP-3were studiedin cytosols of tissue obtained from 73 patients (primary adenocarcinomas, st. III, G2, 47 men and 26 women aged 38-74 years, T1-3N0M0) by the ELISA method using standard test kits.
Results: Increase in the content of growth factors VEGF-A, IGF and TGF-β1, the receptor protein VEGF-R, plasminogen activator uPA and metalloproteinases MMP-3 was detected inadenocarcinoma of the rectum. Gender differences inVEGF-Aand TGF-β1 content were found. Increase in levels and activity of uPA and MMP-3 only was detected in perifocal zone of the tumor. Changes in EGF content were found neither in adenocarcinoma tissue nor in its perifocal zone. No significant gender differenceswere observed intissue fibrinolyticsystemandMMP-3. Age differenceswere not found either. CONCLUSION. I. Concurrent expressionof IGF-I, IGF-II, TGF-β1 and VEGF-Aanditsreceptorinmalignanttumortissue, as well as increasedplasmin release from proenzyme and MMP-3 activationis apparently associatedwith the formation ofpathogenic mechanism of vasculature development in moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the rectum. 2. Activation of uPA and MMP-3 in perifocal zone of the tumor can serve as an indexof its invasive activity. 3. Genderdifferencesin VEGF-A and TGF-β1, content in tumor tissue were observed; significant association between natient gender and levels of IGF, EGF. fibinolvsis indices and MMP-3 was not found.