title: The expression of MMP-2 and Ki-67 in head and neck melanoma, and their correlation with clinic-pathologic indices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Melanoma is an aggressive tumor with propensity for early metastasis and poor prognosis with delayed diagnosis. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is involved in degradation of extra-cellular matrix proteins and tumor progression. Ki-67 is a predictor of tumor proliferation activity but its prognostic significance in melanoma is controversial. In this study, the prognostic value of MMP-2 and Ki-67 via immuno-staining in head and neck melanoma is investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 24 consecutive primary melanoma samples was performed. All samples were stained with monoclonal MMP-2 and Ki-67 antibodies. Two independent investigators evaluated the stained sections. The reactive cells were considered positive regardless of the staining intensity and reported as percentage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A strong correlation between MMP-2 expression, Breslow tumor thickness, and Clark level of invasion was observed (r = 0.85, P < 0.0001 and r = 0.84, P < 0.0001, respectively). A significant positive correlation was observed between MMP-2 expression and number of lymph node involved (r = 0.55, P value 0.005). MMP-2 over expression (>50%) was an independent predictor of lymph node involvement (OR: 2.1, P value: 0.01). No significant association was observed between Ki-67 expression and Breslow tumor thickness, Clark level, or lymph node involvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-2 expression correlates with tumor thickness in melanoma and is an independent predictive factor for lymph node involvement.
authors.forename: Kambiz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamyab-Hesari
authors.forename: Nooshin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mohtasham
authors.forename: Nessa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aghazadeh
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biglarian
authors.forename: Bahram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Memar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Zahedan University of Medical Science, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamideh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kadeh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2