Epithelial MMP-2 expression correlates with worse prognosis in pancreatic cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degrade extracellular matrix and are involved in tumor invasion and metastasis in various cancers. In pancreatic cancer, MMP-2 expression is upregulated and correlates with tumor recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of MMP-2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
MMP-2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 127 patients operated on at Helsinki University Hospital from 1974 to 1998, with expression interpreted separately in epithelial and stromal samples.


RESULTS
Epithelial MMP-2 expression was strong in 5%, moderate in 20%, weak in 25% and negative in 50% of the tumors, with high epithelial MMP-2 expression significantly associated in univariate survival analysis with advanced stage, poor grade and poor survival. Stromal MMP-2 expression was strong in 0%, moderate in 14%, weak in 70% and negative in 16% of the cases, and did not significantly correlate with patient survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Epithelial MMP-2 correlates with advanced tumor stage and grade, but is not an independent predictor of survival.
Juuti
Anne
A
Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Lundin
Johan
J
Nordling
Stig
S
Louhimo
Johanna
J
Haglund
Caj
C
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate
D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2