Matrix metalloproteinase-9 overexpression is closely related to poor prognosis in patients with colon cancer.
BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an important member of the matrix metalloproteinase family and is considered to be involved in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. This study analyzed the expression of MMP-9 in colon cancer patients and the relationship between this expression and clinicopathological features and survival.


METHODS
We immunohistochemically investigated 68 specimens of colon cancer tissues and corresponding distal normal mucosa tissues using MMP-9 antibody. Then, the correlation between MMP-9 expression and clinicopathological features and its prognostic relevance were determined.


RESULTS
The expression rate of MMP-9 in colon cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in distal normal mucosa (69.1% versus 2.9%, P < 0.001). Significant correlations were only found between high levels of MMP-9 expression and metastasis of lymph nodes and Dukes' stage. Overexpression of MMP-9 was associated with shorter survival times in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis confirmed that MMP-9 expression was an independent prognostic factor.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-9 is correlated with the metastasis of lymph nodes, and its elevated expression may be an adverse prognostic indicator for the patients of colon cancer.
Bo
B
Yang
Fuqiu
F
Tang
Bicheng
B
Zhang
Yong
Y
Zhao
Department of Oncology, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command PLA, 627 Wuluo Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430070, P,R, China. whzyyfjm@163.com.
Junming
J
Feng
Zhiguo
Z
Rao
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2