Expressions and Significance of COX-2 and MMP-2 in Colorectal Cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of digestive system,the combined use of cyclooxygenase-2( COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-2( MMP-2) inhibitors probably has a synergistic inhibitory effect on invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer. Aims: To study the expressions of COX-2 and MMP-2 in colorectal cancer,and investigate their roles in the development and progress of colorectal cancer. Methods: Expressions of COX-2 and MMP-2 were detected in 82 cases of non-hereditary colorectal cancer by immunohistochemical SP assay,and correlations with clinicopathological features were analyzed. Results: The positivity rates of COX-2 and MMP-2 expression in colorectal cancer were 64. 6% and 65. 9%,respectively. Positive expressions of COX-2 and MMP-2 were associated with clinical staging,depth of infiltration and lymph node metastasis( P 0. 05),but not with gender,age,tumor size and degree of differentiation. Positive expressions of COX-2 and MMP-2 had a synergistic effect( P 0. 05). Conclusions: COX-2 and MMP-2 are highly expressed in colorectal cancer and have synergistic effect,thereby enhancing the development and progress of colorectal cancer.