title: Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and blood vessel density in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  In this study we found that inflammatory cells may be a source of MMP-9 in laryngeal cancer. MMP-9 was correlated with blood vessel density. MMP-9 may be a potential target to disrupt tumor neovascularization.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the expression of MMP-9 in laryngeal cancer and determine a possible relation with blood vessel density.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry was used for MMP analysis and for blood vessel detection in 83 laryngeal cancer samples. The density of blood vessels was analyzed with a stereological tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMP-9 was detected in inflammatory cells. Positivity for MMP-9 correlated significantly with the grade of differentiation (p = 0.025). Expression of MMP-9 was not correlated with T stage, nodal metastasis, or tumor recurrence. The mean blood vessel density was 51.4 vessels/mm². Specimens were more likely to exhibit higher density of blood vessels when MMP-9 expression was also present (p = 0.014).
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. claus.wittekindt@hno.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wittekindt
authors.forename: Nebojsa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jovanovic
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Guntinas-Lichius
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic
chemical_list: D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9