title: Clinical significance of MMP-7 and PTEN expression in colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of MMP-7 and PTEN protein in colorectal cancer and explore its correlation with clinicopathological parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  In colorectal cancer tissue samples (n=48) and normal rectal tissue samples (n=23), the expression of MMP-7 and PTEN was detected by immunohistochemistry. Using medical records, the relationship of MMP-7 and PTEN expression with clinicopathological parameters was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to normal rectal tissue, MMP-7 expression was significantly higher in all grades of colorectal cancer. In contrast, PTEN expression was significantly lower than levels in normal rectal tissue. There was significant negative correlation between MMP-7 and PTEN expression in colorectal cancer (r=-0.403, p>0.05). MMP-7 and PTEN expression in colorectal cancer samples was correlated with differentiation, lymph node metastasis, serosa infiltration, and Duke's stage (p<0.05) but not with gender, age, or tumor size (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduced PTEN expression and MMP-7 over-expression may play important roles in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Combined detection may provide prognostic benefit towards colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Lai-Dong
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Xiao-Meng
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; C494929:PTEN protein, human; C060932:MMP7 protein, human; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7