Prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in bladder carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To detect the level of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) mRNA and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) mRNA in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC), and to estimate the prognosis for bladder tumor based on the quality and quantity of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA.


METHODS
Thirty-five samples of human BTCC and 15 normal fresh bladder tissues were studied by RT-PCR analysis followed by computer-assisted image analysis.


RESULTS
The level of the MMP-2 mRNA in BTCC was significantly increased compared with that in normal bladder epithelium. The positive rates of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA were 71.4% and 65.7% in BTCC, and 66.7% and 60.0% in the normal bladder wall. The expression intensity of the MMP-2 mRNA by image analysis tended to increase with tumor grading and staging, which showed statistical significance. Similarly, the MMP-2 to TIMP-2 ratio also showed statistically significant difference between normal bladder tissue and bladder carcinoma (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
A high level of the MMP-2 mRNA exists in BTCC, which may function to damage collagen IV inside the basement membrane and the extracellular basement of the bladder. The level of the MMP-2 mRNA is proportional to BTCC grading and staging, which may have prognostic value. The MMP-2 to TIMP-2 ratio may play a more significant role in the determination of the aggressiveness and prognosis of bladder tumor.
Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Peking University, Beijing 100044, China. xuka@hkusua.hku.hk
Kexin
K
Xu
Shukun
S
Hou
Zhijun
Z
Du
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2