[Expression and clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor in oral squamous cell carcinomas].
OBJECTIVE
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is closely associated with the metastasis and infiltration of tumor. It was recently discovered that it is also associated with angiogenesis of tumor. This study was designed to investigate the expressions of MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue and their association with metastasis and infiltration of OSCC.


METHODS
The expressions of MMP-9 and VEGF were detected on paraffin-embedded samples from 51 cases of OSCC, 10 cases of oral squamous cell papilloma, and 10 of normal oral mucosa by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
MMP-9 and VEGF showed negative or weak positive expression in normal oral mucosa and oral squamous cell papilloma. The positive expression rate of MMP-9 and VEGF in OSCC were 78.4% (40/50) and 82.4% (42/51); the coexpression of MMP-9 and VEGF was 66.7% (34/51).


CONCLUSIONS
There was difference between the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF in OSCC tissue. The infiltration of tumor cell is closely associated with the expression of MMP-9 (P < 0.01). Cervical lymph node metastasis closely correlates to the expression level of VEGF (P < 0.01). MMP-9 and VEGF could be used as biological indices for clinically evaluating infiltrative and metastatic potential of OSCC.
Xu
Hong
H
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Second Affiliate Hospital of Jiang-Xi Medical College, Nan-Chang 330006, P. R. China.
Shi
Xiao-ping
XP
Tang
Wei-ping
WP
Li
Li-xiang
LX
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9