Matrix Metalloproteinases After Surgery and/or Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients With Liver Metastases From Colorectal Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• Describe the kinetics of postoperative changes of serum matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9) and their inhibitors (TIMP) (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) as a function of surgical technique.

Secondary

• Determine the predictive value of postoperative risk of recurrence.
• Correlate the risk of recurrence with surgical technique.
• Determine whether elevated serum levels of MMP are a better marker than the carcinoembryonic antigen of hepatic or extrahepatic recurrence.
• Determine whether the postoperative serum of HGF/SF is correlated to changes in plasma levels of MMPs.

OUTLINE: Blood samples are collected periodically before and after treatment to analyze for metalloproteinases and their inhibitors.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed at day 45 and then every 3 months for 2 years.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Meets 1 of the following criteria:

• Patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum and liver metastases

• Must have undergone prior complete resection of the tumor more than 3 months ago
• Liver metastases must be resectable or accessible for radiofrequency ablation
• Patients undergoing cryosurgery of the digestive tract for a reason other than cancer or infection (control)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• No other neoplastic disease that is measurable or being treated other than colorectal cancer
• No heart failure or severe respiratory disease
• No uncontrolled infection or other severe disease

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No participation in another study involving new drugs