Changes of histology and expression of MMP-2 and nm23-H1 in primary and metastatic gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes of histology and expression of MMP-2 and nm23-H1 in primary and metastatic gastric cancer.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy-seven gastric cancer patients with lymph node and/or distal metastasis between 1997 and 2001 were reviewed. Differences in histology of the primary and metastatic gastric cancer were assessed. MMP-2 and nm23-H1 immunoreactivity was compared in 44 patients with tumor infiltration to the serosa layer.


RESULTS
Poorly and moderately differentiated metastatic gastric cancer was found in 88.7% (157/177) and primary gastric cancer in 75.7% (134/177) of the patients. The histological type of metastatic gastric cancer that was not completely in accordance with the preponderant histology of primary gastric cancer was observed in 25 patients (14.1%). MMP-2 immunoreactivity in metastatic gastric cancer was significantly stronger than that in primary gastric cancer, while nm23-H1 immunoreactivity showed no difference in primary and metastatic gastric cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Metastatic gastric cancer presents more aggressive histological morphology and higher MMP-2 immunoreactivity than primary gastric cancer. This heterogeneity may elicit a possible mechanism of gastric cancer metastasis.
Wang
Lin-Bo
LB
Department of Surgical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China.
Jiang
Zhi-Nong
ZN
Fan
Miao-Ying
MY
Xu
Chao-Yang
CY
Chen
Wen-Jun
WJ
Shen
Jian-Guo
JG
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; C517938:NME1 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2