Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF ) or matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and recurrence or metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC ). Methods: VEGF and MMP-9 gene expression in 39 pairs of HCC tissues and nontumorous liver tissues with or without liver cirrhosis were examined by reverse transcription polyrnerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was present in 36 of 39 (92% ) resected HCCs, the degree of VEGF expression in 23 HCCs was higher than that in corresponding nontumorous liver tissues. MMP-9 mRNA expression was found in 27 of 39 (69% ) cases, and 18 of 27 these samples showed stronger expression in the tumorous tissues than that in the nontumorous tissues. The level of MMP-9 expression correlated significantly with intra-or extra-hepatic metastasis, and the patients with high degree of MMP-9 mRNA expression in HCC were more susceptible to postoperative recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions: Expression of MMP-9 correlates closely with the recurrence or metastasis of HCC. High level of both VEGF and MMP-9 expression is a predictor for poor prognosis of HCC.