Relationship of Head and Neck Neoplasms with Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2

The degradation of extracellular matrix is the key step for promotes tumor cells to infiltrate surrounding tissue by degradating basemental membrane and extracellular matrix,and it is the conclusive enzyme for degradation.matrix metalloproteinase-2 is one of the most important member of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)family,which specially inhibited by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2,and the imbalance between MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotei Nase-2(TIMP-2)plays an important role in the process of tumor's metastasis and invasion.Neoplasms in head and neck are common neoplasms which cause patients'death.To study the relationship between the two and the invasion and metastasis of neoplasms in head and neck may contribute to the diagnosis and therapy and prognosis of neoplasms in head and neck.