[Expression and significance of MMP2 and type IV collagen in gastric cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between the expression of MMP(2), type IV collagen, and invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer.


METHODS
The expression of MMP(2) and Type IV collagen was observed by using immunohistochemistry technique.


RESULTS
The MMP(2) expression clearly appeared in the poor-differentiated adenocarcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma (85.7%, 77.7%). Type IV collagen destruction was observed simultaneously. MMP(2) was highly expressed in patients with cancer embolus in blood vessel and lymphatic vessel or with lymph node metastasis (83.3%, 86.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
The high expression of MMP(2) was significantly associated with infiltration and metastasis of gastric cancer. The extracellular matrix, especially type IV collagen was destroyed in the cases of high expression of MMP(2). These results suggest that monitoring the level of MMP(2) expression may be an index for evaluation of prognosis.
Feng
G
G
Department of General Surgery, Railway General Hospital of Beijing, Beijing 100038, China.
Tan
Y
Y
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D024141:Collagen Type IV; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2