Expression and Significance of E-cd and MMP-2 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective To detect the expression of Epithelial-Cadherin(E-cd), Matrix Metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and study the correlations among them. Methods Immunohisto-chemical staining for E-cadherin and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) were performed in archival material from 77 cases of OSCC. Results There was a highly significant correlation between the expression of E-cd protein and WHO classification, the clinical stage, the depth of tumor invasion and the metastasis of lymph node in OSCC (P0.05). There was a highly significant correlation between the expression of MMP-2 protein and the depth of tumor invasion, the clinical stage and the metastasis of lymph node in OSCC (P0.05). The expression of E-cd protein was negatively correlated with MMP-2 protein (P0.05). Multivariate statistical analyses indicated that the expression of E-cd and MMP-2 was the significant factor which affected lymph node metastasis in OSCC. Conclusion It is theorectially significant to explain the mechanisms of the infiltration and metastasis in OSCC by examining the expression of E-cd and MMP-2 protein, and it is helpful for predicting prognosis and giving treatment for patients with OSCC to examine the expression of E-cd, and MMP-2.