Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and blood vessel density in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.
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).
Wittekindt
Claus
C
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. claus.wittekindt@hno.med.uni-giessen.de
Jovanovic
Nebojsa
N
Guntinas-Lichius
Orlando
O
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
D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9