Expression of gelatinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in endometrial carcinoma

• Published in: European journal of gynaecological oncology 2007, Vol.28 (3), p.184-188
• Main Authors: Karahan, N, Güney, M, Baspinar, S, Oral, B, Kapucuoglu, N, Mungan, T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Endometrial Neoplasms - genetics; Endometrial Neoplasms - metabolism; Endometrial Neoplasms - pathology; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; In Situ Hybridization; Lymphatic Metastasis; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - metabolism; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Staging; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - metabolism; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases - metabolism; Up-Regulation; Vascular Neoplasms - secondary
• ISSN: 0392-2936

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key players in the degradation of extracellular matrix and basement membranes, and are thus important in tumor invasion. Gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in particular are prognostic factors in many solid tumors. In this study the immunohistochemical expression of both COX-2 and matrix metalloproteinases has been shown for the first time in endometrium carcinoma. Forty-two endometrial carcinoma tissues were immunostained for MMP2 antibody (1:100, Rabbit polyclonal), MMP9 antibody (1:100, Rabbit polyclonal) and CoX2 antibody (1:100, Epitope specific rabbit antibody). 90.5% of the cases were positive for MMP-2 and MMP-9, and 83.3% of the cases were positive for COX-2. A statistically significant association was found between COX-2 overexpression and FIGO stage (p = 0.001). A positive correlation was also found with histological grade (p = 0.006), myometrial invasion (p = 0.033), vascular invasion (p = 0.017), and lymphatic invasion (p = 0.007). A positive correlation was found between MMP-2 overexpression and vascular and lymphatic invasion (p = 0.030 and p = 0.003, respectively). MMP-9 overexpression was also found to be correlated with vascular and lymphatic invasion (p = 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant correlation between MMP-2 and MMP-9 overexpression (p = 0.0001). The results showed that COX-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were expressed in a high percentage of primary endometrial carcinomas and their expressions may be associated closely with parameters of tumor aggressiveness.