[Expression and clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase-26 in non-small cell lung cancer.].

BACKGROUND: It has been proven that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -26 played an important role in tumorigenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of MMP-26 protein in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to analyze the correlations between MMP-26 and clinicopathological parameters. METHODS: Seventy specimens of lung cancer, 30 of (para-cancer) normal lung tissues and 19 of pulmonary benign disease tissues were collected. Immunohistochemistrical technique was used to measure the levels of expression of MMP-26 protein. RESULTS: (1) The expression levels of MMP-26 protein in lung cancer tissues (64.3%) were significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues (26.7%) and pulmonary benign disease tissues (31.3%) (P <0.01). (2) The expression levels of MMP-26 protein in lung cancer tissues were closely related to histological classification, grade of cell differentiation and TNM stages (P <0.05), but not related to age, sex, smoking history and tumor size (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression levels of MMP-26 protein may play an important role in early invasion of NSCLC and may be an useful biomarker in determining its progress and prognosis.