title: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -7 expression in colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-7 have been implicated in tumor growth and metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the expressions of MMP-2 and -7 in colorectal cancer and to evaluate their values as prognostic markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical staining for MMP-2 and -7 was done in 144 resected colorectal cancer specimens. Clinicopathological data and survival results were compared with regard to the expression results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression rates of MMP-2 in tumor cells in the tumor center and the tumor border were 16.7% and 38.9%, respectively. That of MMP-2 in stromal cells was 27.8%. MMP-7 immunoreactivities of tumor cells in the tumor center and the tumor border were 6.9% and 23.6%. The expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-7 were correlated. MMP-2 expression in stromal cells was more increased in the distal part of the colorectum: 8.8% in right colon cancer, 29.5% in left colon cancer and 36.4% in rectal cancer. MMP-2 expression of tumor cells in the tumor border was correlated with T-stage. MMP-7 expression of tumor cells in the tumor border was increased in case of infiltrative cancer compared with fungating tumor. The expression patterns of MMP-2 and -7 were not correlated with other clinicopathological factors, including tumor markers, node metastasis, distant metastasis, lymphatic invasion, tumor differentiation, and recurrence. No significant associations between the overall and disease-free survival rates and the MMP-2 and -7 expression patterns were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high expression rates of MMP-2 and -7 in tumor borders suggest that MMP-2 and -7 have some role in tumor invasion, but in this study, MMP-2 and -7 did not appear to be significant predictors of prognosis in colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Yun Kyung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Byungmo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Woo Yong
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yeo Gu
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: In Wook
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Paik
authors.forename: Hyucksang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee