Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix components and are involved in the development and progression of cancer. Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Lebanon. This study was undertaken to investigate the association between -1171(5A > 6A) polymorphism in the promoter of MMP3 gene and the susceptibility to lung cancer in a Lebanese population. The MMP3 polymorphism was investigated in 41 lung cancer patients and 51 unrelated healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. We found a significant association between MMP3-1171 5A allele and lung cancer (Odds ratio [OR] = 2.7, 95% [CI] = 1.3-5.3; Fisher's p-value = 0.005). This study may form an additional evidence for the association of MMP3 enzyme and genetic susceptibility to lung cancer.