Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and MMP-9 in cervical carcinoma and their clinical significance

Objective To investigate expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and metris metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) in cervical carcinoma and their relationships with clinical stages,pathologic gradings,histological classifications and lymphatic metastasis.Methods 62 patients with cervical carcinoma admitted in Qianfoshan Hospital over a period from January 2000 to January 2005 were included in the study group.Other 35 patients who underwent hysterectomy due to other reasons and had normal cervix were included in the control group.The SP method of immunohistochemistry was used to detect expressions of COX-2 and MMP-9 in cervical carcerous tissues and normal cervical tissues. Results In overall positive expression rates of COX-2 and MMP-9 in the cervical cancerous tissues there were significant differences between the two groups(both P0.05).The expression of them was significantly related to lymphatic metastasis(both P0.05),while it was not related to age,clinical stages and histological classification(all P0.05).The expression of COX-2 was not associated with pathologic grading of the malignancy(P0.05),while MMP-9 was associated with pathologic grading of the malignancy(P0.05).The expression of COX-2 was positively associated with that of MMP-9(r=0.3220,P0.05).Conclusion The over-expressions of MMP-9 and COX-2 are related to invasion and metastasis of cervical carcinoma and they play important roles in lymphatic metastasis of cervical carcinoma.The expression of MMP-9 is positively associated with that of COX-2.