Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2,matrix metalloproteinases-9 and Ki67 in tissues of gastric cancer and their clinical significance

Abstract

Objective To investigate the association of expressions of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2),matrix metanoproteinases-9(MMP-9)and Ki67 with occurrence,infiltration and metastasis of gastric cancer.Methods Fifty-eight surgically obtained and pathologically performed cancerous tissues were collected between Jan.2003 and Dec.2005.Among them,37 were males and 21 were females with mean age of 58.2 years(ranged from 31 to 76 years).Fifty-eight paracancerous tissues(5-6 cm apart form the cancer)were taken as controls.The expressions of COX-2,MMP-9 and Ki67 in cancerous or paracancerous tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry.Results The expressions of COX-2 and MMP-9 in cancerous tissues(82.76%and 68.9%,respectively)were higher than those in controls(37.93%and 24.14%,respectively,P＜0.01).The expressions of COX-2 and MMP-9 were not associated with sex,age,location and size of gastric cancer(P＞0.05),but were correlated with the depth of lymph node infiltration.metastasis and TNM stage(P＜0.05).The expression of MMP-9 was also associated with the degree of differentiation of gastric cancer(P＜0.05).There was a correlation between COX-2 and MMP-9 expressions in gastric cancer tissues(P＜0.05,C=0.359).The expression of Ki67 in tissues with positive expressions of COX-2 and MMP-9 was higher than that in negative ones(P＜0.01).Conclusion The COX-2,MMP-9 and Ki67 play important roles in metastasis and infiltration,which promote occurrence and development of gastric cancer. Key words: Stomach neoplasms; Matrix metalloproteinases-9; Cyclooxygenase-2; Ki67