A research team at OncoRay – National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology in Dresden has identified the protein MMP11 (matrix metalloproteinase 11) as a potentially highly relevant biomarker for metastatic prostate cancer. The marker can be detected in blood plasma and could in future indicate aggressive disease progression, metastasis risk and treatment response at an early stage in a minimally invasive liquid biopsy.

With around 65,000 new cases annually, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men in Germany and the second most common cause of tumour-related death. While localized tumors offer good chances of recovery, the prognosis deteriorates considerably in the case of metastatic progression. Patients also respond very differently to standard therapies such as hormone or radiation therapy.

In previous studies, the research group led by Prof. Anna Dubrovska from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden and the Faculty of Medicine of the TU Dresden was able to show that aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3) play a key role in the regulation of tumor cell survival in the bloodstream, metastasis and resistance to radiotherapy. In the current study, Dr. Ielizaveta Gorodetska characterized the ALDH1A1/MMP11 signaling pathway in detail: The ALDH enzymes regulate the cytokine transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1), which in turn controls the expression of MMP11. This signaling cascade promotes the aggressiveness and invasiveness of tumor cells.

Analyses of large patient datasets revealed a close association between high MMP11 gene expression and advanced, high-risk prostate cancer. The researchers confirmed this by direct protein measurements in the blood plasma: Increased MMP11 concentrations correlate with metastasis and unfavorable prognosis, especially in patients with local radiation therapy.

The results indicate that MMP11 could be suitable as a circulating biomarker to detect aggressive courses at an early stage, optimize treatment decisions and monitor treatment success in real time. Such a blood test would enable individualized, patient-friendly oncology and help reduce over- or under-therapy.

The study was published in an international journal in 2025 (DOI: 10.1186/s13046-025-03299-6). The authors emphasize that MMP11 is not only biologically relevant, but also has clinical potential as a usable marker. However, it will be several years before a validated clinical test is introduced.

A next validation step has already begun: In cooperation with the Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology in Poland, MMP11 will be further investigated in independent liquid biopsy cohorts from Germany and Poland. Dr. Gorodetska’s work is funded by a separate project of the German Research Foundation.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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