Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2,-9 and Extracapsular Spread of Cervical Node Metastasis in the Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cervical lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Further, it is important to predict extracapsular spread (ECS) before treatment, because ECS makes prognosis worse. It has been well established that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression correlates with cervical lymph node metastasis, but studies on its involvement in extracapsular spread are not enough. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlationship between extracapsular spread of cervical lymph node metastasis and expression of matrix metalloproteinases in the primary sites of head and neck cancer and metastatic cervical lymph nodes. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: An immunohistochemical study was carried out using monoclonal antibodies to MMP-2, MMP-9 on tissue obtained from 46 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent a surgery of primary tumor removal and neck dissection. We evaluated correlations between the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 in the primary tumor and ECS of metastatic lymph nodes, and that between expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 in the metastatic lymph nodes and ECS. RESULTS: The result showed that while there is no significant correlation between expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 in primary tumor and ECS of cervical lymph nodes, expressions of the MMPs in the positive lymph nodes and ECS of the lymph nodes have significant relationships. CONCLUSION: Expression of MMP-2,-9 may play a pivotal role in extracapsular spread beyond lymphatic metastasis and in the progression of HNSCC.