Expression of decorin in esophageal cancer in relation to the expression of three isoforms of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity.

To determine the role of the reactive stroma in cancer progression, we investigated decorin (DCN) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta expression, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity in the tumorous esophagus. We found statistically insignificantly decreased levels of DCN expression in the pathological tissues. No obvious alterations in TGF-beta expression were noticed. The highly significant increase in MMP-2 activity in cancers did not result in elevated levels of TGF-beta dimers. Therefore, the system of TGF-beta liberation from its complex with DCN by activated MMP-2 does not seem to contribute to esophageal cancerogenesis, although this hypothesis should be reevaluated with a larger study group.