Matrilysins may not predict the metastatic potential in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
OBJECTIVE
To examine immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 and -26 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue and its relation with cervical metastasis.


METHODS
Twenty-four cases were selected and divided into two groups: a metastatic group (n = 12) and a non-metastatic group (n = 12). Cases were graded as either negative (score 0), positive (score +) or strongly positive (score ++).


RESULTS
MMP-7 expression was identical in both groups, with 17% of the cases graded as score 0, 50% as score + and 33% as score ++. MMP-26 expression was 25% score 0, 8% score + and 67% score ++ in the metastatic group, and 8% score 0, 50% score + and 42% score ++ in the non-metastatic group. Statistical analysis showed no differences between the studied groups and no correlations between proteins.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-7 and -26 immunostaining is not a useful indicator of the metastatic potential of SCCs of the tongue. However, the role of these proteins in the process of invasion and metastasis cannot be ruled out since their more marked presence along the tumor invasion front compared to more central areas of the tumors indicates higher secretion of these proteases in this region, facilitating the invasion process.
de Amorim
Rivadávio Fernandes Batista
RF
Medicine Department, Brasília University, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
da Silveira
Ericka Janine Dantas
EJ
Queiroz
Lélia Maria Guedes
LM
Galvão
Hébel Cavalcanti
HC
de Souza
Lélia Batista
LB
de Almeida Freitas
Roseana
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D053505:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
C410599:MMP26 protein, human; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D053505:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7