ABSTRACT
Objective The aim of this study was to explore MMP-2 and TIMP-3 expression in the gastric cardia carcinoma and with the relationship between the pathological stages.Methods Gastric cardia carcinoma surgical resection speciments of 115 cases were for the trial group.paraneoplastic gastric noncancerous tissues of 40 cases (the distance to cancer border>5 cm) as normal controls.The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-3 was detected by two-step immunohistochemical method.The relationship of MMP-2 and TIMP-3 between clinicopathological stages was analyze. Results MMP-2 in carcinoma of the gastric cardia and the paraneoplastic tissues of organizations positive expression rates were 57.4%(66/115) and 40.0%(16/40) (P<0.05).MMP-2 expression was positively correlated with tumor size,tumor invasion depth,lymphatic metastasis and stage of tumor, which was negatively correlated with the prognosis of gastric cardia carcinoma (P<0.05).TIMP-3 in carcinoma of the gastric cardia and the paraneoplastic tissues of organizations positive expression rates were 48.7%(56/115) and 95.0%(38/40) (P<0.05).TIMP-3 expression was negatively correlated with tumor size,tumor invasion depth,lymphatic metastasis and stage of tumor, which was positively correlated with the prognosis of gastric cardia carcinoma. Conclusion The over expression of MMP-2 and the lost of TIMP-3 may play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cardia carcinoma.Combined MMP-2 and TIMP-3 detection may help to judge gastric cardia carcinoma development and to assess the prognosis of patients.