title: MMP7 expression in colorectal tumours of different stages.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in cancer biology. Expression of MMP7 (matrilysin) in colorectal cancer is associated with metastatic disease even though it is expressed in most tumour states. In the present study, our purpose was to analyze MMP7 in bowel and lymph nodes of different tumour stages and to evaluate its expression as a cancer biomarker.
  
  
  METHODS
  28 patients surgically-treated for benign and malignant colorectal tumours were recruited and analyzed for MMP7 in tumoural tissue, lymph nodes and serum by histology, immunohistochemistry, ELISA and western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemistry showed prevalent expression of MMP7 in advanced cancer. A significant increase (p<0.001) was evident in serum of stage III/IV cancers compared to both adenomas and non-metastatic disease. MMP7 was increased in cancer tissues with prevalence in stage I/II. Lymph nodes presented a significant increase of MMP7 (p<0.05 adenoma vs. stage I/II and p<0.001 vs. stage III/IV).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP7 increases with dysplasia and cancer disease stage in tumour tissue as well as in the regional lymph nodes. It may be used as a complement in investigating suspected locally advanced cancer.
authors.affiliation: Via Borea 3, Guidonia Montecelio (RM), 00012, Italy. Mob: +39 3289592236, apolis74@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polistena
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cucina
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dinicola
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stene
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciardi
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Ermo
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
authors.forename: Louis Banka
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Toma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
chemical_list: C060932:MMP7 protein, human; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7
keywords: MMP7; Matrilysin; adenoma; colorectal cancer; lymph nodes