title: Expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2, 7 and 9 in patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are perceived to play a key role in tumor invasion and metastasis by their capacity to degrade basement membranes and extracellular matrix proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9 in tumor tissue and their relation to clinicopathologic features in patients with colorectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specimens of resected colorectal cancer and surrounding normal tissue of 82 patients were immunohistochemically stained for MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9. The results of immunohistochemical expression of MMPs were correlated with some clinical and pathologic parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2 was more frequent in the patients with higher preoperative serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (p = 0.047), MMP-2 (p = 0.018), MMP-9 (p = 0.036) and in those with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.018) and the advanced stage of the disease (p = 0.046). Expression of MMP-7 was more frequent in the patients with elevated preoperative serum levels of: CEA (p = 0.012), MMP-7 (p = 0.036), MMP-9 (p = 0.023) and with deeply invasive neoplasms (p = 0.027). MMP-9 cell expression was in a positive correlation with elevated preoperative serum levels of: CEA (p = 0.013), MMP-2 (p = 0.012), MMP-9 (p = 0.018) and depth of CRC invasion, ie T-parameter (p = 0.027).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immunohistochemical expression of MMPs is a useful indicator of the disease development and progression in patients with colorectal cancer.
authors: Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. eli_kos_pet@yahoo.com
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Kostova
authors: Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Maja
authors: M
authors: Slaninka-Miceska
authors: Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Nikola
authors: N
authors: Labacevski
authors: Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Krume
authors: K
authors: Jakovski
authors: Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Jasmina
authors: J
authors: Trojachanec
authors: Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Emilija
authors: E
authors: Atanasovska
authors: Digestive Surgery Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Vlado
authors: V
authors: Janevski
authors: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Rubens
authors: R
authors: Jovanovik
authors: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Vesna
authors: V
authors: Janevska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000556:secondary; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9