Expression of gelatinase-A (MMP-2) in human colon cancer and normal colon mucosa

Proteolytic enzymes, such as type IV collagenases (MMP-2 gelatinase A, 72-kD type IV collagenase and MMP-9 gelatinase B, 92-kD type IV collagenase) play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. In the present study the levels of MMP-2 antigenic concentration and immunohistochemical staining were compared in paired colorectal tumor (n = 64) and background colon tissue of the same patients with clinical and pathological staging. The antigenic concentrations were found to be statistically significantly higher in cancer tissue (mean 11.29 ng/mg protein) than in corresponding normal mucosa (10.23 ng/mg protein) (p = 0.008). There was also a positive correlation between MMP-2 antigenic concentration and clinicopathologic parameters such as grade (p < 0.001) and Dukes' stage (p = 0.001), but not with lymph node involvement. Immunohistological localization of MMP-2 was observed in tumor as well as in stromal cells. Staining intensity increased from adenoma to adenocarcinoma. The degree of staining was associated with grade (p < 0.001), Dukes' stage (p < 0.001) and lymph node involvement (p < 0.001). Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.