ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The malignant degree of human chondrosarcoma can be difficult to determine using only histological findings. We, therefore, assessed the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in chondrosarcoma and ascertained the relationships to histological degree of malignancy and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 28 chondrosarcoma cases, immunostaining was performed using antibodies against MMP 2, 3, 7, 9, 13, ADAMTS 4, 5 and TIMP 1, 2, 3. RESULTS: The chondrosarcoma were classified into groups of 7, 15 and 6 cases based on histologically malignant grade I, II and III, respectively. All target proteins were expressed in chondrosarcoma. Positive correlations (p < 0.05) existed between immunostaining scores and histological grades for all proteins except MMP 9, with strong correlations (p < 0.01) for MMPs 2, 3 and 13, both ADAMTSs and all 3 TIMPs. No correlation existed between prognosis and immunostaining scores. CONCLUSION: These target proteins could, thus, indicate the degree of malignancy in human chondrosarcoma.
