Expressions of MMP-9 and E-cadherin in colorectal carcinoma and their clinical significance

Objective:To investigate the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and E-cadherin protein in human colorectal carcinoma and their correlation with tumor infiltration and metastasis as well as evaluate the relationship between the expressions of the two proteins.Methods:The expressions of MMP-9 and E-cadherin protein were detected by immunohistochemical staining(streptavidine-peroxidase method) in 52 cases of colorectal carcinoma(including 3 cases of colorectal adenomas with malignant change).Ten cases of normal colorectal tissues were as control.Results:(1) The over-expression of MMP-9 was closely related with lymph node metastasis and invasion of colorectal carcinoma.The positive rate of MMP-9 expression in the patients with lymph node metastasis(100%) was significantly higher than those without lymph node metastasis(89%).The positive expression of MMP-9 was significantly higher in patients who survived less than 5 years than those who survived more than 5 years(P0.05).(2) The expression of E-cadherin protein was closely associated with the lymph node metastasis(P0.05) but it had no significant correlation with tumor differentiation and Dukes' stages(P0.05).Conclusion:Over-expression of MMP-9 and reduction or loss of E-cadherin expression has significant correlation with metastasis and infiltration of colorectal carcinoma.The positive expression of MMP-9 closely correlated with the abnormal expression of E-cadherin.