Correlation of peritumorous edema on MRI with expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and angiogenesis in astrocytoma

Objective: To investigate the correlation of MRI signs of peritumorous edema to the expression of matrix met-alloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and angiogenesis to the pathologic grading in astrocytomas. Methods: The MMP-9 and microvessel density(MVD) expression was detected in 40 cases of astrocytomas by immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibody to MMP-9 and CD34. The extent of peritumorous edema was determined on MRI. Results: Expression of MMP-9 and MVD in Ⅲ-Ⅳ grade astrocytoma was significantly higher than that in Ⅰ-Ⅱgrade astrocytoma(P0.01). The higher the expression of MMP-9 and angiogenesis was, the larger peritumorous edema extent would be(P0.01). Conclusion: Peritumorous edema in astrocytomas has a close correlation with angiogenesis and the expression of MMP-9. Thus, the extent of peritumorous edema on MRI may be used as a valuable index for predicting its malignant degree and prognosis.