Correlation of content and expression of matrix metallo-proteinases in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder with tumor invasion and metastasis

Objective To investigate the correlation of matrix metalloproteinase-2,-9 (MMP-2,MMP-9) in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder (TCCB) with tumor invasion and metastasis. Methods The total serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were detected in 68 patients with TCCB and 20 healthy controls by ELISA; the expresions and distributions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in 68 patients and 10 normal bladder tissue were determined by immunohistochemical method. Results The levels of serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly elevated in cancer samples compared with normal (P0.01), significant difference was found between the patients with metastasis and without metastasis. In TCCB, the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased significantly compared with normal bladder epithelial. The expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were correlated with histological grade and lymph node metastasis (P0.05). Conclusion These results suggest that the total levels of serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their expressions may provide reliable information in TCCB prognosis.