Role of gelatinases (matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9), vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin on clinicopathological behaviour of rectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their tissue inhibitors [tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)] and activators [membrane-type MMPs (MT1-MMPs)], vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin on clinicopathological variables and prognosis in patients with rectal cancer.


METHODS
Paired samples of tumour tissue and normal tissue were obtained from patients with rectal cancer who underwent curative surgery (n = 34). Gelatin zymography for MMP-2 and MMP-9, an activity assay for MT1-MMP and enzyme-linked immunoassays for TIMP-2, VEGF and endostatin were performed using extracts from the paired tissue samples.


RESULTS
Active MMP-9 showed statistically significant relationships with metastatic disease and perineural invasion (P = 0.002 and P = 0.042). A significant relationship was observed between the levels of tumoral pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 and the presence of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.012 and P = 0.021, respectively). Tumoral TIMP-2 levels showed a significant relationship with tumour recurrence (P = 0.011). A significant relationship was also observed between tumour VEGF levels and the presence of perineural invasion (P = 0.044), and VEGF levels were correlated with the size of the tumour (P = 0.009, r = 0.454).


CONCLUSIONS
These results might contribute to further investigation of a possible prognostic significance in rectal cancer.
Cavdar
Z
Z
Research Laboratory, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey.
Canda
A E
AE
Terzi
C
C
Sarioglu
S
S
Fuzun
M
M
Oktay
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D043169:Endostatins / Q000502:physiology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 / Q000032:analysis; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000502:physiology*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology*
D043169:Endostatins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14