Abstract

PURPOSE
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been associated with tumor cell invasion and metastasis by mediating the degradation of extracellular matrix components. A tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) has been reported to inhibit tumor invasion by means of an inactivation of matrix metalloproteinases. An imbalance between MMPs and the associated TIMPs may play a significant role in the invasive phenotype of malignant tumors. Therefore, MMPs and their inhibitors constitute promising agents for developing anticancer therapies. In the present study, the authors investigated the correlation between the expressions of TIMP-1 and MMPs, and the clinical outcome.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining of MMP-2, -3 and -9, and TIMP-1 was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 38 early gastric carcinomas and 61 advanced gastric carcinomas.
RESULTS
MMP-2 and -9 were found mainly in tumors of the intestinal type and less frequently in those of diffuse type. There were positive correlations between the presence of MMP-2 and -9 and lymph node status. There were inverse correlations between the TIMP-1 expression and tumor invasiveness.
CONCLUSION
These results suggests that clinical outcomes such as the depth of invasion or metastasis are closely related to the expression of TIMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9.

• Keywords: Gastric adenocarcinoma;Matrix metalloproteinases;Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase;Invasion;Metastasis