Abstract

PURPOSE
An essential element in tumor invasion and metastasis in the degradation of extracellular matrix is matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). But little is known about the role of them in the gastric adendegrees Carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether human gastric adendegrees Car cinoma expressed MMPs and whether MMPs were concerned in tumor stage and histologic subtypes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The authors performed the retroactive analysis in 38 cases of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) and 61 cases of advanced gastric carcinoma (AGC), including 38 cases of diffuse type and 61 cases of intestinal type, using immunohistdegrees Chemical staining for MMP-2, -3 and -9.
RESULTS
MMP-2, -3 and -9 were ldegrees Calized to neoplastic cells in 93% (92/99), 32% (32/99) and 76% (76/99), respectively. MMP-2 and -9 were found mainly in tumors of intestinal type and less frequently in those of diffuse type. There were positive correlation between the presence of MMP-2 and -9 and lymph node metastasis. There was positive correlation between MMP-2 expression and tumor stage.
CONCLUSION
The authors demonstrated a statistically significant expression of tumoral MMP-2, -3 and -9 in gastric adendegrees Carcinoma and their correlation with tumor progression. This study also suggests that the presence of MMP-2 and/or -9 is a useful indicator for poor prognosis.

• Keywords: Stomach neoplasm;Matrix metalloproteinase