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Matrix metalloproteinases in carcinoma of unknown primary
Author(s) -
Karavasilis Vasilis,
MalamouMitsi Vasiliki,
Briasoulis Evangelos,
Tsanou Elena,
Kitsou Evangelia,
Kalofonos Haralambos,
Fountzilas George,
Fotsis Theodore,
Pavlidis Nicholas
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.21454
Subject(s) - matrix metalloproteinase , medicine , proteolysis , immunohistochemistry , carcinoma , adenocarcinoma , pathology , monoclonal antibody , cancer , oncology , antibody , biology , immunology , enzyme , biochemistry
Abstract BACKGROUND The purpose was to study proteolysis‐related molecules, matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) and MMP‐9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1), in carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP). METHODS Paraffin‐embedded tumor material from 75 patients diagnosed with CUP was used. Tumor histologies were adenocarcinoma (77%), undifferentiated carcinoma (19%), and squamous cell carcinoma (4%) and patients were categorized into favorable (62%) and unfavorable (38%) subsets. The tissue expression of MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and TIMP‐1 was assessed by use of specific monoclonal antibodies and evaluated by means of a visual staining score. The expression of molecules studied was analyzed against clinicopathological data. RESULTS MMP‐2 was found expressed in 69% (strong expression in 49%), MMP‐9 in 49% (strong in 36%), and TIMP‐1 in 79% (strong in 44%) of studied cases. The expression of MMP‐2 correlated positively with MMP‐9. TIMP‐1 was significantly higher in unfavorable compared with favorable tumors and was associated with a shorter survival of patients (7.5 vs. 12 mos). No other associations were detected. CONCLUSIONS MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and TIMP‐1 are widely expressed in CUP, suggesting an essential role of proteolysis in these tumors. TIMP‐1 may be considered a possible marker of poor prognosis in CUP patients. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.