Clinical Significance of Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9 and E-cadherin Expression for Assessing the Spreading of Human Colorectal Cancer

摘要

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2,-9 and E-cadherin was assessed serologically (peripheral blood) and immunohistologically to determine whether these parameters are useful in evaluating the preoperative malignancy of colon cancer and, in particular, predicting the onset of hepatic metastasis in the following patients: 30 colon cancer patients with synchronous hepatic metastases; 15 colon cancer patients with asynchronous hepatic metastases; and 114 colon cancer patients with matching clinicopathological factors who had not had recurrence for at least five postoperative years. Compared to the 114 colon cancer patients, MMP-2 expression was significantly higher in the patients with preoperative synchronous or asynchronous metastases, but there was no significant difference in MMP-9 expression. E-cadherin expression was also significantly higher in the patients with preoperative synchronous metastases. Prognosis was significantly poorer for patients with preoperative serum MMP-2 and E-cadherin levels above the cutoff value (mean + SD). In addition, the results of immunohistological analyses showed the same staining patterns for MMP-2 and -9 for 18 patients and were positive for all patients with infiltrative cancer. In particular, patients with hepatic metastasis showed high MMP-2 expression in tissue and serum. Considering serological and immunohistological findings of MMP-2, expression can be useful in assessing malignancy and predicting the risk for hepatic metastases.