Inverse relationships between the expression of MMP-7 and MMP-11 and predictors of poor prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have various functions that play roles in carcinoma development. In this study, we investigated the expression of two representative MMPs, MMP-7 and MMP-11, in papillary thyroid carcinomas.


METHODS
We immunohistochemically investigated the expression of these MMPs in 196 cases of papillary carcinoma.


RESULTS
A high level of MMP-7 expression was observed in 56 cases (28.3%). The expression level was significantly decreased in cases showing large tumour, N positivity, large pT and poor differentiation. MMP-11 expression was high in 119 cases (60.1%). The expression level was inversely related to tumour size, N factor, pT factor, pN factor, extrathyroid extension, and poor differentiation.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to other MMPs, MMP-7 and MMP-11 are inversely linked to aggressive characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma and their down-regulations may even be a marker of poor prognosis in patients.
Ito
Yasuhiro
Y
Department of Surgery, Kuma Hospital, Kobe, Japan. ito01@kuma-h.or.jp
Yoshida
Hiroshi
H
Kakudo
Kennichi
K
Nakamura
Yasushi
Y
Kuma
Kanji
K
Miyauchi
Akira
A
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D018265:Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D053507:Matrix Metalloproteinase 11 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C511771:MMP11 protein, human; D053507:Matrix Metalloproteinase 11; C060932:MMP7 protein, human; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7