[Expression of matrix metaloproteinase and tissue inhibitors in ovarian tumors].
OBJECTIVE
Metalloproteinase(MMPs) is considered to be associated with the development of carcinoma, especially with the invasion and metastases of cancer. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 and biological behavior of ovarian cancer.


METHODS
The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 in 128 patients with ovarian tumor was determined using immunohistochemical methods, and their relationship to many clinicopathological parameters was analyzed.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical studies revealed a diffuse granular distribution of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 in the cytoplasm of the carcinoma cells. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 was stronger in ovarian adenocarcinoma tissue than in ovarian benign tumor tissue (P < 0.01). MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were found to be significantly higher in grade III-IV adenocarcinoma than in grade I-II adenocarcinoma (P < 0.01). MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in G3 than in G1-2 tumors. Furthermore, the expression rate of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was higher in cases with lymph node metastases thanin those with non-lymph node metastasis. TIMP-2 expression was contrary to the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 on that three respects in ovarian carcinomas.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 correlate with tumor stage, poor differentiation, and lymphonodes metastases, which suggests that co-expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 within the same tumor seem to play an important role in the progression of ovarian cancer and could be useful prognostic markers for patients with ovarian carcinoma.
Cai
Wei
W
Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, P. R. China.
Song
Jin-dan
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000032:analysis*
D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9