Limited independent prognostic value of MMP-14 and MMP-2 expression in ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND: In cancer, various MMPs play a role in progression and metastasis and their overexpression generally indicates a poor prognosis. MMP-14 is the main activator of MMP-2 and both molecules play a role in normal ovarian follicular development. Earlier reports indicated a prognostic value for both MMP-14 and MMP-2 in ovarian cancer. This study was designed to determine the prognostic value of MMP-14 and MMP-2 expression in ovarian cancer with data on long-term follow-up. METHODS: Tumor samples of 94 consecutive ovarian cancer patients from one regional laboratory were evaluated. Clinical and survival data were collected and related to known prognostic factors, as well as to the expression of MMP-14 and MMP-2 as determined by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Epithelial MMP-14 expression correlated with stromal MMP-14 expression (rho = .47, p < .01) and epithelial MMP-2 expression was found to correlate with both MMP-14 epithelial and stromal expression (rho = -.28, p < .01 respectively rho = -.21, p < .05). In univariable analysis of 64 advanced-staged tumours, no MMP parameter was significant for progression-free or overall survival. In multivariable analysis for PFS, stromal MMP-14 expression and epithelial MMP-2 expression remained in the model. For overall survival, no MMP parameter showed significance. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the correlation between epithelial and stromal MMP-14 expression and between epithelial MMP-2 and both epithelial and stromal MMP-14 expression. In this study with long-term follow-up, the independent prognostic value of MMP-14 and MMP-2 expression in ovarian cancer is limited to a role in PFS for stromal MMP-14 expression and epithelial MMP-2 expression.