Expression and clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase in gastric stromal tumor / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression and clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in gastric stromal tumor (GST).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression were determined by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues in 44 patients with GST, and their relationship with clinicopathologic factors of the neoplasm was also investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MMP-2 and MMP-9 were expressed in the cytoplasm in 84.1% (37/44) and 81.8% (36/44) of tumors, respectively. The positive rates of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased significantly in parallel to the increase in tumor malignancy (P < 0.05) and associated with pattern of tumor growth, tumor size, and centre necrosis (P < 0.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the expression of the two markers in GST (r = 0.6523, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the 5-year postoperative survival rates of patients with positive expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly lower than those of patients with negative expressions of the two markers (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Over expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 can be served as objective markers to judge the malignant degree and, to predict the prognosis of patients with GST.</p>