ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of ErbB-3 binding protein-1 (EBP-1), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and E-cadherin (E-cad) in adenoid cystic carcinoma and their correlation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemistry(PV6000 method) was used to detect EBP-1, MMP-9 and E-cad expression in 66 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma tissues and matched para-cancerous normal tissues. In this study all cases were successfully followed up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive expression rate of EBP-1 in adenoid cystic carcinoma tissues was 85%. EBP-1 expression was significantly correlated to pathological pattern and clinical stage (P < 0.05), but not to gender and age. In addition, there was a negative correlation between EBP-1 and E-cad expression, and positive correlation between EBP-1 and MMP-9.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EBP-1 and its correlation with MMP-9 and E-cad may be used as useful indicators for clinical assessment of tumor biological behavior and prognosis in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma.</p>