title: Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 correlates with poor prognosis in human malignant fibrous histiocytoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  92 kDa matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is believed to play an important role in degrading the matrix and basement membrane, contributing to the invasion and metastasis of malignant solid tumors. However, little is known about its involvement in a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of MMP-9 and to correlate its expression with clinicopathologic parameters in human malignant fibrous histiocytomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Archival tumor tissues from 20 patients with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of MMP-9. Clinical information was obtained through the computerized retrospective database from the tumor registry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen of 20 (85%) tumors showed a positive reaction for MMP-9. MMP-9 activity was inversely correlated with patients' survival time (p=.011). There was no significant correlation between the activated MMP-9 expression and all the other clinicopathologic variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data demonstrate that MMP-9 activation is likely to occur in human malignant fibrous histiocytomas. It is also noteworthy that the expression of MMP-9 may aid in predicting patients' poor prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jinyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Ji Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Seok Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Chang Suk
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kang