title: Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 7 and 9 and membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The 5-year survival rate of patients with submucosal (sm) esophageal carcinoma continues to be much worse than that with intramucosal (m) lesions. The reasons are unclear, but matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and membrane type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) are known to be involved in degradation of extracellular matrix macromolecules associated with tumor cell invasion. Expression of these enzymes may have some relation to the difference in survival between patients with sm and m esophageal carcinomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surgical specimens from 148 primary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas were examined for expression of MMP-1, 2, 3, 7, and 9; tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1 and 2; MT1-MMP; and MT2-MMP by immunohistochemical staining. The results were compared with tumor progression and other clinicopathologic parameters. Localization of gelatinase activity was also confirmed in carcinoma cells by in situ zymography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of MMP-7 and 9, expression of MT1-MMP, and gelatinase activity were elevated in the carcinomas, correlating with depth of tumor invasion. Percentages of positive sm cases were 44.0%, 51.9%, and 52.0%, respectively, significantly higher than for the m cases. Percentages of venous invasion positive cases were 61.9%, 65.1%, and 65.1%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expression of MMP-7 and 9 and MT1-MMP is closely associated with invasion depth and venous invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohashi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nemoto
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nemori
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053517:Matrix Metalloproteinase 15; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000032:analysis*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis*; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000032:analysis*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: C507098:MMP15 protein, human; D053517:Matrix Metalloproteinase 15; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9