Expression of MMP-9 and E-Cad Protein in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of MMP-9 and E-Cad in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) tissue and explore their correlation and clinicopathological significance.Methods MMP-9 and E-Cad protein expression were detected by using SP immunohistochemistry method in 71 cases of ESCC,33 cancer-adjacent atypical hyperplastic tissue and 29 normal esophageal mucosa. Results Expression of MMP-9 increased in turn of normal esophageal mucosa,cancer-adjacent atypical hyperplastic mucosa and ESCC,and the expression rate was 13.8%,52.2%,81.7% respectively,the difference between groups was statistically significant(P 0.05);whereas expression of E-Cad protein decreased in turn of normal esophageal mucosa,cancer-adjacent atypical hyperplastic mucosa and ESCC,and the expression rate was 89.7%,84.5%,40.8% respectively,the difference between groups was statistically significant(P 0.05);Expression of MMP-9 and E-Cad protein were closely correlated with depth of infiltration,lymph node metastasis and histological grading of ESCC;their expression were negatively correlated(r s=-0.347,P =0.003). Conclusion MMP-9 and E-Cad protein are associated with infiltration,metastasis and histological grading of ESCC and may play an important role in carcinogenesis of esophageal epithelial cells.