Expression and clinical significance of runt-related transcription factor 3 protein and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues

Objective To investigate the expression of runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) protein and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its possible relationship with the clinical pathological features of colorectal adenocarcinoma.Methods The expression of RUNX3 and MMP-9 protein were examined in colorectal adenocarcinoma and normal tissues by immunohistochemical SP technique.Results The positive expression rate of RUNX3 protein in colorectal adenocarcinoma was 38.33％ (23/60),which was significantly lower than that in normal tissues [86.67％(26/30)] (P ＜ 0.01).The positive expression rate of MMP-9 protein in colorectal adenocarcinoma was 76.67％ (46/60),which was significantly higher than that in normal tissues [26.67％ (8/30)] (P ＜ 0.01).The expression of MMP-9 was positively correlated with liver metastasis,lymph node metastasis,TNM stage,the depth of tumor invasion and peritoneal micrometastasis (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of RUNX3 protein was negatively correlated with liver metastasis,lymph node metastasis,TNM stage,the depth of tumor invasion and peritoneal micrometastasis (P ＜ 0.05),but negative correlation between the expression of MMP-9 and RUNX3 protein in colorectal adenocarcinoma (r =-0.000 7,P =0.000).Conclusions The expression of MMP-9 and RUNX3 protein are correlated with the development of colorectal adenocarcinoma.Detection of the expression of RUNX3 and MMP-9 protein in colorectal adenocarcinoma can predict the metastasis and prognosis,and provide the basis for clinical targeted therapy. Key words: Colorectal adenocarcinoma;  Runt-related transcription factor 3 protein ;  Matrix metalloproteinase-9;  Immunohistochemistry