Abstract
Background Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are endopeptidases that can degrade extracellular matrix components and affect invasiveness and aggressiveness of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to examine the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in OSCCs in patients presenting at the Tertiary Health facility in Nigeria. Material and Methods Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) OSCC samples diagnosed between the years 2010 and 2012 were used for his study. The FFPE were processed for MMP-2 and MMP-8 using the specifications of the manufacturer. Two investigators reviewed the slides scoring the pattern and intensity of staining as negative (0), weakly positive (+1), moderately positive (+2) and strongly positive (+3). The data were analysed using version 20 of the SPSS. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Twenty-five OSCC consisting of 14 (56%) males and 11 females (44%) were used. The mean age was 54.6 ± 17.9 years. A higher proportion (100%) of poorly differentiated OSCC strongly expressed MMP-2 compared with the well differentiated and moderately differentiated OSSC. There was no significant difference in the expression of MMP-2 amongst the three grades of OSCC (X2 = 2.87; p= 0.17). Only 5 (20%) OSCC cases positively expressed MMP-8. Moderate expression of MMP-8 was only seen in well-differentiated OSCCs. Conclusions This study showed that a higher proportion of poorly differentiated OSSC strongly expressed MMP-2. Eighty percent of cases that express MMP-8 were females and moderate expression of MMP-8 was seen only in well differentiated OSCC. Key words:Oral squamous cell carcinoma, MMP-2, MMP-8, immunohistochemistry.
Highlights
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm in the oral cavity, and it is still regarded as a significant global public health problem [1]
Majority (80%) of the cases that expressed Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-8 were seen in females there was no statistically significant difference in the expression of MMP-8 between males and female (p=0.065 Mann-Whitney U)
It is known that an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome, dyskeratosis cogenita may predispose sufferers to squamous cell carcinoma which usually present between the ages 5-12 years [15]
Summary
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm in the oral cavity, and it is still regarded as a significant global public health problem [1]. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of at least 17 human zinc dependent endopeptidases that can degrade almost all extracellular matrix components [4] They are classified into five groups according to their substrate specificity: collagenases (MMP-1, -8, and -13), gelatinases (MMP-2 and -9), stromelysins (MMP-3, -10), and membrane-type MMPs (MT-MMPs) (MMPs 14–17, 24, and 25) and other MMPs (MMPs11, 19 and 20) [5]. MMPs inhibitors are potential therapeutic agents in the management of cancers with less adverse effects and possible better prognosis This present study was carried out to examine the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in oral squamous cell carcinoma cases seen at the Department of Oral Pathology, University College Hospital Ibadan. Eighty percent of cases that express MMP-8 were females and moderate expression of MMP-8 was seen only in well differentiated OSCC
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