title: Overexpression of MMP-1 and VEGF-C is associated with a less favorable prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study addresses the association of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with clinicopathologic characteristics in the patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We profiled the expression of MMP-1 and VEGF-C by cDNA microarray in 4 cases and by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 14 cases of esophageal SCC. Another 90 cases were reviewed by immunohistochemical examination of paraffin-embedded sections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of MMP-1 and VEGF-C mRNA in normal esophageal tissue and tumor tissue was compared. Data were fully consistent with the results of RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry showed that compared to the normal mucosa MMP-1 and VEGF-C protein expression was upregulated in both esophageal atypical hyperplasia (n = 16) and esophageal SCC. Depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage were directly associated with prognosis in all cases. Furthermore, median overall survival and disease-free survival were significantly shorter in patients with a higher expression of MMP-1 and VEGF-C than in patients with lower expression levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrated that the expression of both MMP-1 and VEGF-C mRNA and protein was upregulated in esophageal SCC tissues. Protein expression was associated with progressive tumor stage and poor prognosis in patients with esophageal SCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yi-Sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Xin-Yi
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Da-Min
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Zhen-Zhong
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Ze-Nong
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Mao-De
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000032:analysis*; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1