Expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and association with Epstein-Barr virus infection.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the association between MMP9 and Epstein-Barr virus infection.


METHODS
The MMP9 expression was studied by immunohistochemical analysis; and Epstein-Barr virus encoded small nuclear mRNA-1 (EBER-1) produced by in situ hybridization were examined in 41 nasopharyngeal carcinoma sections, and the relation between them, and the associations of MMP9 with clinical features were statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
Positive expression rate of MMP9 was 73.17%. The expression of MMP9 showed significant positive correlation with the expression of EBER-1 (gamma=0.483, P=0.001). There was significant association of MMP9 expression with lymph nodes metastasis and clinical stage (P<0.001), non-significant association with age, gender, pathological classification and T classification.


CONCLUSIONS
The highly pronounced expression of MMP9 is associated with cervical lymph nodes metastasis. Epstein-Barr virus can enhance NPC metastasis by up-regulating the expression of MMP9.
Tang
Jian-Guo
JG
Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China. zhengzheng@mail.hz.zj.cn
Li
Xuan
X
Chen
Ping
P
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C099537:Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA 1; D012367:RNA, Viral; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9