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Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase‐9 in High‐Grade Salivary Gland Carcinomas is Associated With Their Metastatic Potential
Author(s) -
de Vicente Juan C.,
LequericaFernández Paloma,
LópezArranz Juan Sebastián,
Esteban Isabel,
Fresno Manuel Florentino,
Astudillo Aurora
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/mlg.0b013e318158f754
Subject(s) - salivary gland , immunostaining , pathology , stroma , immunohistochemistry , matrix metalloproteinase , staining , stage (stratigraphy) , medicine , metalloproteinase , biology , paleontology
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 protein in high‐grade malignant tumors of salivary gland origin as well as its utility as a prognostic marker. Methods: Four micrometer sections from 27 malignant salivary neoplasms were immunostained using a specific antibody against MMP‐9. The staining results (proportion of the stained tumor cells and intensity of tumor stainings) were correlated with the clinical data and with patient outcomes. Results: Immunostaining for MMP‐9 was observed in 17 cases, predominantly localized in the tumor cells and occasionally in the inflammatory stroma cells. MMP‐9 protein expression correlated with N ( P = .04), M ( P = .02), and TNM stages ( P = .03). MMP‐9 expression was prognostic for shortened survival ( P = .01). Our results show that the invasiveness and prognosis of high‐grade salivary gland cancers may depend on their MMP‐9 expression profile.