Overexpression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 predicts unfavorable outcome in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.
This prospective study was performed to assess the impact of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 expression on the clinical course of patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Specimens of 193 consecutive patients with completely resected NSCLC were examined for MMP-2 expression by immunohistochemical staining with a polyclonal antibody. Homogeneous immunostaining of cancer cells was considered positive and heterogeneous, or no staining was considered negative concerning overexpression of MMP-2. Four specimens were excluded from further analyses because of unspecific staining. The median follow-up period was 71.5 months (range, 12-120 months). Overexpression of MMP-2 was observed in 64 (33.9%) of 189 patients and did not correlate with clinicopathoiogical parameters. In patients without lymph node involvement (pN0 stage) MMP-2 overexpression was an independent prognostic parameter for unfavorable outcome: Log-rank analysis showed a significant association of MMP-2 overexpression with shortened cancer-related survival (P = 0.04) and disease-free survival (P = 0.03). Multivariate regression analysis confirmed MMP-2 overexpression as predictor of shortened cancer-related survival in NSCLC without lymph node involvement (P = 0.005, relative risk, 2.6). The present study revealed that MMP-2 overexpression predicts a poor prognosis in early-stage NSCLC. Therefore, it might be worth investigating the role of MMP inhibitors as adjuvant therapeutic agents in NSCLC.
Passlick
B
B
Department of Surgery, Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik Klinikum Innenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany. Passlick@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Sienel
W
W
Seen-Hibler
R
R
Wöckel
W
W
Thetter
O
O
Mutschler
W
W
Pantel
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2