Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and their tissue inhibitors in low malignant potential ovarian tumors.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to analyze the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9) and their tissue inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in low malignant potential (LMP) ovarian tumors and to compare these values with those recorded for benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms.


METHODS
A total of 53 ovarian tumors (16 benign, 15 LMP and 22 malignant) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2.


RESULTS
MMP-2 expression was found in 56% of the benign, 40% of the LMP, and 90% of the malignant ovarian tumors (benign vs. malignant, p = 0.021; LMP vs. malignant, p = 0.002). The expression of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was lower in the benign and LMP tumors compared with the malignant ones.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that, in relation to the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, LMP ovarian tumors are more similar to benign than to malignant ovarian tumors.
Määttä
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Santala
M
M
Soini
Y
Y
Talvensaari-Mattila
A
A
Turpeenniemi-Hujanen
T
T
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9