Correlations of matrix metalloproteinase content and expression with invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the correlations of serum matrix metalloproteinase-2, -9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) contents and tissue expressions in hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor invasion and metastasis. Methods Serum MMP-2, MMP-9 contents were detected in 40 patient with hepatocellular carcinoma and 20 healthy controls by ELISA; the expressions and distributions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in 40 patients and 10 normal tissues were detected by immunohistochemical method. Results Serum MMP-2, MMP-9 contents were significantly elevated in cancer samples compared with normal serum (P0. 01), the significant difference was found between contents in the presence and the absence of lymph node metastasis (P0. 05). In hepatocellular carcinoma, the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 were increased significantly compared with normal tissue. The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 were correlated with histological grade and lymph node metastasis (P0. 05). Conclusion The serum of MMP-2 and MMP-9 contents and their expressions may provide reliable information for hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis.