ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9 by cells isolated from the peritoneal fluid of women with ovarian carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Tumor tissue specimens and cells isolated from peritoneal fluid from 20 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma were examined for MMP-2 and -9 expression using immunostaining. Six benign peritoneal effusions containing mesothelial cells were also included in the study. RESULTS: Expression of both MMP-2 and -9 was noted in cancer cells in peritoneal fluid of all cases studied. Peritoneal fluid cancer cells showed increased expression of both MMP-2 and -9 relative to mesothelial cell expression of these MMPs. Positive immunoreactivity of these MMPs in primary tumor tissues was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that both MMP-2 and -9 are frequently overexpressed in ovarian cancer cells disseminated in the peritoneal cavity and that determination of cellular MMP-2 and -9 expression could be useful in distinguishing cancer cells from mesothelial cells in peritoneal fluid cytologic specimens from women with ovarian epithelial carcinoma.
