title: Heterogeneity of metalloproteinase expression in colorectal cancer - relation of molecular findings to basic morphology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To clarify the correlation between morphological features and the mRNA expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in colorectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 29 colorectal tumors, cancer cells were isolated by laser microdissection, and the mRNA expression of metalloproteinases was compared between the tumor center and the invasive front.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regarding the central region as the standard, the mRNA levels of ADAM-12, MMP-1, -2, -7, and -9 at the invasive front were up-regulated. The degree of up-regulation was significantly higher in solid cancer nest (SCN)-positive tumors than in SCN-negative tumors for the mRNA levels of ADAM-12, MMP-2, -7, and - 9 (SCN-positive, median 5.1-, 3.9-, 9.9-, and 2.7-fold; SCN-negative 2.0-, 1.0-, 2.4-, and 0.8-fold; p<0.05, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Up-regulation of the mRNA expression of particular metalloproteinases was significantly associated with the SCN at the leading edge of colorectal tumors.
authors: Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan. kaji@jd5.so-net.ne.jp
authors: Yoshiki
authors: Y
authors: Kajiwara
authors: Hideki
authors: H
authors: Ueno
authors: Yojiro
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authors: Hashiguchi
authors: Eiji
authors: E
authors: Shinto
authors: Hideyuki
authors: H
authors: Shimazaki
authors: Hidetaka
authors: H
authors: Mochizuki
authors: Kazuo
authors: K
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