Relationship between COX-2 and MMP-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To investigate the expression of Cyclooxygenase-2; and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in HCC and the rela- tionship between the expression and the clinical pathology parameters.Method:Expression of COX-2 and MMP-2 in the HCC tissues , paracancerous liver tissues respectively were detected by imunohistochemical method. Results:The COX-2 protein expression rate was 78.7% and 30.3%(P0.05) in the HCC tissues, paracancerous liver tissues respectively. The positive rate of COX-2 was correlated sig- nificantly with tumor cell differentiation, co-existing cirrhosis,vein invasion and TNM stage. The MMP-2 protein expression rate was 68.1% and 36.4%(P0.05) in the HCC tissues , paracancerous liver tissues respectively. The positive rate of MMP-2 was correlated significantly with tumor size,vein invasion, tumor cell differentiation and TNM stage. A close correlation was showed between the ex- pression of COX-2 and MMP-2 (P0.01). Conclusions:COX-2 and MMP-2 were over-expressed and significantly correlated in HCC tissues, which means COX-2 and MMP-2 might involve in the process of genesis and progression in HCC.