Open AccessOverexpression of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in Tumor Epithelial Cells Correlates with Colorectal Cancer Metastasis
Author(s) -
Zuzga David S.,
Gibbons Ahmara Vivian,
Li Peng,
Lubbe Wilhelm Johannes,
Chervoneva Inna,
Pitari Giovanni Mario
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical and translational science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.303
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1752-8062
pISSN - 1752-8054
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-8062.2008.00037.x
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , matrix metalloproteinase , metastasis , matrix metalloproteinase 9 , cancer research , medicine , matrix metalloproteinase 3 , cancer , oncology
Colorectal cancer mortality largely reflects metastasis, the spread of the disease to distant organs. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) is a key regulator of metastasis and a target for anticancer strategies in colon cancer. Here, the overexpression of MMP‐9 in pure tumor epithelial, but nor stromal, cell populations was associated with metastatic progression of colorectal cancer, as defined by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and confirmed by immunostaining. Thus, cancer cell MMP‐9 represents a novel, selective prognostic and predictive factor that may be exploited for more effective disease stage stratification and therapeutic regimen selection in patients with colorectal cancer.