Lack of MMP-9 expression is a marker for poor prognosis in Dukes’ B colorectal cancer

Selja Koskensalo,Mikael Lundin,Timo Sorsa,Caj Haglund,Jaana Hagström,Johanna Louhimo,Nina Linder

doi:10.1186/1472-6890-12-24

Abstract

BackgroundMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a role in cancer progression by degrading extracellular matrix and basement membranes, assisting in tumour neovascularization and in supporting immune response in cancer.MethodsWe studied the prognostic value of immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in a series of 619 colorectal cancer patients using tissue microarray specimens.ResultsOf the samples, 56% were positive for MMP-2, 78% for MMP-8, and 60% for MMP-9. MMP-9 associated with low WHO grade (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis of Dukes’ B tumours, MMP-9 negativity associated with poor survival (p = 0.018), and MMP-9 positivity was an independent prognostic marker in multivariate analysis of these tumours (p = 0.034).ConclusionNegative MMP-9 expression can predict poor prognosis in Dukes’ B colorectal tumours and may prove useful for identifying patients, who should be offered adjuvant treatment.

Highlights

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a role in cancer progression by degrading extracellular matrix and basement membranes, assisting in tumour neovascularization and in supporting immune response in cancer
We studied the prognostic value of MMP-2, MMP-8 and MMP-9 immunoexpression in colorectal cancer
MMP-2 positivity did not correlate with clinicopathological variables (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a role in cancer progression by degrading extracellular matrix and basement membranes, assisting in tumour neovascularization and in supporting immune response in cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy in the world [1]. The most important prognostic factor in colorectal cancer is stage of disease at diagnosis. In cancer progression and spread, tumours must invade their surrounding tissues, basement membranes (BM), and extracellular matrix (ECM), must avoid the host’s immunoresponse, and must ascertain their circulation by neovascularization. In all these phenomena, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role [9]

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Conclusion