Prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in gastric carcinomas

Matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs] might be involved in invasion and metastasis of tumors by degrading extracellular matrix and basement membrane. Controversial data exist concerning the progrnostic value of MMP-2 in gastric carcinomas, so this study was done to evaluate prognostic value of MMP-2 expression in gastric carcinomas and comparing its expression with known prognostic parameters [cancer cell differentiation, depth of invasion and different histological subtype] and to determine its value in detecting metastatic potential [by evaluation of its expression in correlation with vascular permeation and lymph node metastasis]. This retrospectiver study included 25 cases of gastric carcinomas, all cases were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, Immunostaining for MMP-2 was done using Avidin-biotin peroxidase method. MMP-2 espression in tumor tissues was studied with semiquantitative evaluation [Score 0.3]. 20/25 cases [80%] of gastric carcinoma showed immunoreactivity and 5/25 cases [20%] were negative. 10/12 cases [83.3%] of the well-differentiated tumor, 5/7 cases [71.4%] of the moderately differentiated and 5/6 [83.3%] of the poorly differentiated tumor showed immunoreactivity [P = 00.568]. As regarding the depth of invasion, 2/4 cases [50%] of T[b] 5/7 cases [71.4%] of T[2], 7.8 cases [87.5%] of T[3] and 6/6 cases [100%] of T[4] showed MM-2 expression [P = 0.0001]. According to WHO classification 1/2 cases [50%] of papillary carcinoma, 7/8 cases [87/5%] of tubular carcinoma, 7/9 cases [77.7%] of signet ring carcinoma and 5/6 cases [83.3%] of the undifferentiated carcinoma showed immunoreactivity [P = 0.727]. According to vascular permeation 11/15 cases [73.3% without vascular invasion and 9/10 cases [90%] with vascular invasion showed positive staining and 77.7% of them were of [score-3] [P = 0.0001]. According to lymph node metastasis 11/16 cases [68.7%] without lymph node metastasis and 9/9 cases [100%] with lymph node metastasis showed MMP-2 expression and [88.8%] of them were of [score-3] [p = 0.0001]. mmp-2 expression in gastric carcinomas has prognostic value as it correlated significantly with the depth of invasion, vascular permeation and lymph node metastasis. high density of staining [score 3] can help in selecting cases with high metastatic potential