title: MMP-7 as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer.
abstract: Matrix metalloproteinase-7 is capable of degrading many extracellular matrix proteins and cellular adhesions. In many malignancies, it is overexpressed, and it plays a role in cancer progression by enhancing tumor invasion and thereby metastatic potential. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between MMP-7 tissue expression and prognosis in colorectal cancer. From 623 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer, surgical specimens were collected into tissue array blocks and stained by immunohistochemistry for MMP-7. Specimens from 545 patients were suitable for analysis. In specimens from 105 patients (19.3%), MMP-7 scored as high; in 103 (18.9%), as moderate; and in 134 (24.9%), as mild. In 203 cases (37.2%), immunoreactivity was negative. A significant correlation appeared between MMP-7 immunoexpression and tumor differentiation. High MMP-7 positivity associated with poor prognosis during a 5-year follow-up. During longer follow-up, the differences in survival between groups disappeared. MMP-7 is a potential target for tumor therapy, which should be evaluated in clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, P.O. Box 340, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Selja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koskensalo
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Louhimo
authors.forename: Stig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nordling
authors.forename: Jaana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hagström
authors.forename: Caj
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haglund
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7