Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 in Human Endometrial Carcinoma

Objective: To observe the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7(MMP-7) in normal,premalignant and malignant endometrial samples and its relationship with histopathological grades and clinical stages in endometrial cancer patients.Methods: A total of 38 cases of endometrial carcinoma samples,7 of premalignant samples and 10 of normal endometrial tissue were tested for expression of MMP-7 by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.Results: Immunostaining localized MMP-7 primarily in epithelial glandular cells and tumor cells.Semi-quantifications with immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR revealed that the expression of MMP-7 was not different between normal endometrial samples and premalignant group.In contrast significantly higher levels were found in the malignant tissues,and MMP-7 expression was positively related to histopathological grades and clinical stages.Conclusions: Increased expression of MMP-7 in advanced tumors suggests its role in tumor development and tumor metastasis.These results provide a new significant marker in the judgment of tumor invasion or metastasis and the estimate of prognosis with endometrial carcinoma.