title: [The expression and its clinical significance of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in non-small cell lung cancer].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To investigate the expression and its clinical significance of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), so as to provide reference in diagnosis, treatment and determining prognosis of NSCLC.
  
  
  METHODS
  MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was detected in 32 lung cancer tissues, 32 paracancerous lung tissues and 10 benign pulmonary lesion tissues by immunohistochemical method with anti-MMP-2 and anti-MMP-9 antibody.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1)Expression of MMP-2 (90%, 36/40) and MMP-9 (83%, 33/40) in cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues (22% and 13%) and benign pulmonary disease tissues (0) (P < 0.01). (2)Expression level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was significantly related to lymph node metastasis and TNM staging, and histologic classification and differentiation (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in NSCLC tissue is remarkably higher than that in paracancerous tissues and benign pulmonary tissues. Detaction of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in lung cancer tissue might be helpful to determine metastasis, staging of the cancer, and predict the prognosis of patients with NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: The Respiratory Department, Xiangya Hospital, Zhongnan University, Changsha, Hu'nan 410003, P.R.China.
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Hongzhong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chengping
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hu