Relationship between the expression of E-cadherin,matrix metalloproteinase-2 and the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer

Objective To investigate the role of the expression of E-cadherin(E-Cad) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in carcinogensis and progression of colorectal cancer(CRC). Methods The E-Cad and MMP-2 expressions were studied immunohistochemically in 30 specimens of colorectal adenoma and 60 specimens of CRC. Results The expression rates of E-Cad were 87.10﹪ in colorectal adenoma and 55.00﹪ in CRC( P 0.05). Significant relationship was observed between low E-Cad expression and cellular dedifferentiation but negative correlation to metastasis of lymph node and distant organs. The expression rate of MMP-2 was 26.67﹪ in colorectal adenoma significantly lower than the 86.67% in CRC( P 0.05). MMP-2 expression was closely related to cancer growth type,Dukes stage,cellular differentiation,and metastasis to lymph node and distant organs. Conclusion The detection of E-Cad and MMP-2 expression may be helpful to judge the malignant behavier,metastasis and prognosis of colorectal carcinoma.