Relationship between MMP-2 and invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the association between MMP-2 expression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its invasion and metastasis. METHODS: Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis technology were used to detect MMP-2 mRNA expression and MMP-2 protein expression respectively in HCC, non-HCC liver tissue samples and normal liver tissue samples. RESULTS: The level of MMP-2 expression in HCC was higher than that in adjacent non-HCC liver tissue and in normal liver tissue and the difference was statistically significant, P0.05, and the difference of MMP-2 expression between adjacent non-HCC liver tissue and normal liver tissue had no statistical significance, P0.05. MMP-2 expression in HCC had an inverse correlation with recurrence after surgical treatment, P=0.013, R2=0.842, and a positive correlation with pathological grade, P=0.000, R2=0.797. There was a positive correlation between MMP-2 expression in HCC and extrahepatic metastasis, P=0.003, R2=0.834. Significant inverse correlation was found between MMP-2 expression in adjacent non-HCC liver tissue and extrahepatic metastasis, P=0.021, R2=0.877. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-2 has an association with degree of tumor differentiation, capability of invasion and metastasis and tendency of recurrence. MMP-2 way be one of indexes of differentiation, recurrence and metastasis.