Expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor-C in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and their clinical significance

Objective:To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C(VEGF-C) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC),and their relationship with the clinicopathological parameters.Methods:The expressions of MMP-1 and VEGF-C were determined immunohistochemically in 90 cases of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,16 cases of severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ and 28 cases of adjacent normal tissues.Results:The positive expression rates of MMP-1 in ESCC,severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ and adjacent normal tissues were 81.11%,81.25% and 17.86%,respectively.The expression of MMP-1 was associated with the depth of invasion,lymph node metastasis and clinical staging in ESCC,but not with differentiation(P0.05).The positive expression rates of VEGF-C in ESCC,severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ and adjacent normal tissues were 83.33%,75.00% and 25.00%,respectively(P0.01) ;the expression of VEGF-C was associated with the lymph node metastasis and clinical staging in ESCC(P0.01 and P0.05),but not with the differentiation or depth of invasion(P0.05).And there was a positive correlation between MMP-1 and VEGF-C(P0.01).Conclusions:MMP-1 and VEGF-C play a crucial role in invasion and lymphatic metastasis.They are important predictors of biological behavior in ESCC.