Correlation between the expression of CD44v6, MMP-2 and VEGF-C and the biological behavior in cervical carcinoma

Objective To investigate the association of the expression of CD44v6, MMP-2 and VEGF-C (CD44 splice variant v6, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-C) with the clinicobiologic behavior in cervical carcinoma and the correlation between the 3 factors. Methods PV9000 immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of CD44v6, MMP-2 and VEGF-C in 40 cases of cervical carcinoma. Results The expressions of CD44v6, MMP-2 and VEGF-C were positively related to the depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis and were synergistic in action with one another (P0.05). The probability of deep invasion and lymph node metastasis was higher in the patients with over expression of the 3 factors than in those patients with over expression of 1 or 2 factors or with weak/negative expression of the 3 (P0.05). Conclusion The expressions of CD44v6, MMP-2 and VEGF-C are correlated to invasion and metastasis of cervical carcinoma, and thus can be used as markers to predict metastasis and invasion of cervical carcinoma and the prognosis of these patients as well.