Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and their correlation with tumor invasion, metastasis in gastric carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of MMP-9 in gastric carcinoma and identify the relationship between expression of MMP-9 and tumor invasion, metastasis. Methods In 56 cases of gastric carcinoma and healthy persons, serum enzyme-linked immunoassay analysis was used to observe the expression of MMP-9. The pathological type, the tumor invasive depth and lymph node metastasis were analyzed at the same time. Results The positive rate of MMP-9 expression was 50% (18/36) in gastric carcinoma, but 5% (1/20) in the control group (P 0.01). There were significant differences between the positive expression of MMP-9 and depth of invasion, lymphatic metastasis (P 0.01), except of the pathological type (P 0.05). Conclusion [WT5”BZ]The serum MMP-9 in gastric carcinoma was significantly higher than that in the healthy person and closely correlated with gastric carcinoma invasive depth and lymph node metastasis. Detection of MMP-9 could be helpful in monitoring the gastric pre-cancerous lesions, judging the biological character of gastric cacinoma and predicting patient's prognosis.