An Immunohistochemical Study on the Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 and Angiogenesis in Human Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

The clinical staging systems for laryngeal cancer is limited as a prognostic indicator because of different biological characteristics of cancer in this region. To determine biological characteristics of laryngeal cancer and whether the matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) and angiogenesis can be used as prognostic indicators, the authors performed immunohistochemical staining of MMP-2, TIMP-2 and factor VIII related antigen in 20 cases of surgically treated squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. The results are as follows (1) The positive rates of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were 55% and 95% respectively.(2) As the clinical stage was advanced, the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 increased significantly(p=0.043, p=0.014).(3) The microvessel count(MVC) did not correlate with the clinical stage and histopathologic grading.(4) As the MVC increased, the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 increased significantly(p=0.0004, p=0.0025). In conclusion, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 can be used as a prognostic indicator of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. As MMP-2 increases, so does neovascularization. And as neovascularization increases TIMP-2 does also in order to inhibit it. Since TIMP is an expression of the host response to a tumor and this response is different in each tumor, studies on MMP, TIMP and angiogenesis in other tumors should also be encouraged.