SDF-1 and MMP2 cross talk in cancer cells and tumor microenvironment in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the cancer killer among men and women worldwide. Attempts have been undertaken to identify potential biomarkers for lung cancer; some of which have a direct impact on tumor behavior. The association between MMPs and SDF-1 was previously studied in other organs yet the current study is conducted to evaluate their immunohistochemical expression in non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) aiming to discover their association with different clinicopathological prognostic parameters.Materials and methods: Bronchoscopy and/or C-T guided biopsy from 72 specimens of NSCLC (27 adenocarcinomas, 23 squamous cell carcinomas, and 12 large cell carcinomas) were immunohistochemically stained with MMPs and SDF-1.Results: Cytoplasmic and stromal expression of MMP-2 was seen in 39 (54.2%) patients. Nuclear SDF-1 staining was observed in 36 cases (50%). High expression of MMP-2 was correlated with tumor size (P = 0.002), lymph node (P = 0.001) and distant metastasis (P = 0.026). Nuclear SDF-1 expression was correlated with the tumor size (P = 0.001) and increased risk of metastasis (P = 0.001). A strong agreement between both markers was detected. Combined expression of MMP-2 and SDF-1 was significantly correlated with high tumor stage. MMP2 and nuclear SDF-1 were significantly independent factors in predicting high tumor stage (III and IV).Conclusion: SDF-1a directed invasion of NSCLC is mediated by crosstalk with MMP-2. The identification of SDF-1a from NSCLC tissues as a potential stimulatory factor of MMP-2 during cancer cell invasion may be involved in aggressiveness of NSCLC. Hence, identification of SDF-1a/MMP-2 interaction may implicate therapeutic approaches for metastasis from lung cancer