[Correlation between expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, TIMP-1 and metastasis of neuroblastoma].
OBJECTIVE
To study MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 expression, and their association to invasion and metastasis of neuroblastoma (NB).


METHODS
The staining status was compared of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 in cryostat sections of tumor tissue in 35 NB patients by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Strong expression of MMP-2 was detected only in 2 patients with early stage NB (group A without metastasis), but in 9 and 10 respectively with advanced stage NB (group B with local metastasis and group C with distant metastasis) (compared to group A, P < 0.01). Strong MMP-9 staining was found in 4, 8 and 11 patients for group A, B and C patients (group A vs group C, P < 0.05). The expression of TIMP-2 was the strongest in 4 group A patients, but it decreased with progression of the disease. There was no statistical difference in TIMP-1 expression among the three groups of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-2, MMP-9 expression may be related to metastasis and progression of neuroblastoma, while TIMP-2 may have an inhibitory effect.
Cheng
Yu
Y
Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China.
Dong
Qian
Q
Sun
Li-rong
LR
Yang
Chuan-min
CM
Jiang
Bu-xian
BX
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9