title: Determination of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) protein expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas based on digital image analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a superfamily of proteins involved in angiogenesis and metastatic tissue invasion in many cancers. Overexpression of MMP- 9 has been detected in significant proportions of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCCs), but its prognostic impact remains unclear. In this study we performed a digital image analysis for analyzing MMP-9 protein expression in a series of LSCCs correlating them with clinicopathological factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  MMP-9 protein expression level was determined immunohistochemically in 30 tissue sections surgically derived from patients (21 male and 9 female) with LSCC. Using digital image analysis, we measured their corresponding protein expression levels (staining intensity/S.I. range values 0-255).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Moderate and high MMP-9 protein expression levels (grouping as 2+/3+ overexpression) were detected in 19/30 (63.3%) cases. Statistical significance was observed correlating stage with SI (p=0.02), whereas a borderline association with differentiation grade of the examined tumors was also registered (p=0.05). Interestingly, high levels of MMP-9 expression were observed in cases that demonstrated a significant level of inflammatory (predominantly lymphocytic) infiltration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-9 protein overactivation is a frequent and significant genetic event in LSCC, correlating with its biological behavior (increased TNM stage). MMP-9 seems to mediate an epithelial-stromal intra-reaction correlating also with induction of specific inflammation pathways.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: T Ath
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Papadas
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Naxakis
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Mastronikolis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stathas
authors.forename: N Ch
authors.initials: NCh
authors.lastname: Karabekos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tsiambas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9