Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in serous borderline ovarian tumors is associated with noninvasive implant formation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) proteolytic and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and receptor (VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2) angiogenetic capacity in serous borderline ovarian tumors (S-BOTs) for women with and without noninvasive implants.


METHODS
The population was made up of 99 patients with S-BOTs as the primary diagnosis between 1985 and 1995, 44 of whom had noninvasive implants and 55 without implants. MMP-2, MMP-14, the type-2 tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP-2), and VEGF and receptors (VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2) were examined by immunhistochemistry.


RESULTS
Strong positive (+++) MMP-2 staining was found more frequently in women with primary S-BOTs and noninvasive implants (76%) than in those without implants (53%; p < 0.05). In contrast, staining for MMP-14 and TIMP-2 was not significantly different in the two groups. Furthermore, expression of MMP-2, MMP-14, and TIMP-2 was similar in primary tumors and in their noninvasive implants. Most tumors in both groups had no VEGF expression (84% in the noninvasive implant group and 82% in the group without implants), while moderate (++) to strong (+++) expression of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 was detected in 79% and 94% of the two tumor groups, with no significant difference between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhanced MMP-2 was seen in primary S-BOT with noninvasive implants. The presence of noninvasive implants was prognostic for disease-free survival.
Paulsen
T
T
Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo.
Ree
A H
AH
Kaern
J
J
Kjaerheim
K
K
Bassarova
A
A
Berner
A
A
Haldorsen
T
T
Tropé
C
C
Nesland
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 / Q000378:metabolism; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14