Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in high-grade salivary gland carcinomas is associated with their metastatic potential.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 protein in high-grade malignant tumors of salivary gland origin as well as its utility as a prognostic marker.


METHODS
Four micrometer sections from 27 malignant salivary neoplasms were immunostained using a specific antibody against MMP-9. The staining results (proportion of the stained tumor cells and intensity of tumor stainings) were correlated with the clinical data and with patient outcomes.


RESULTS
Immunostaining for MMP-9 was observed in 17 cases, predominantly localized in the tumor cells and occasionally in the inflammatory stroma cells. MMP-9 protein expression correlated with N (P = .04), M (P = .02), and TNM stages (P = .03). MMP-9 expression was prognostic for shortened survival (P = .01). Our results show that the invasiveness and prognosis of high-grade salivary gland cancers may depend on their MMP-9 expression profile.
de Vicente
Juan C
JC
Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, del Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. jvicente@uniovi.es
Lequerica-Fernández
Paloma
P
López-Arranz
Juan Sebastián
JS
Esteban
Isabel
I
Fresno
Manuel Florentino
MF
Astudillo
Aurora
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9