Relationship between expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 and invasion and metastasis of non-small cell lung carcer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which represents 80％ of lung cancer,is ofen diagnosed with advanced disease, characterized by invasion and metastasis. The degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the important factors related to lung neoplasms invasion and metastasis.Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP),which is a member of the large family of proteases with the ability to degrade ECM,plays pivotal roles in NSCLC invasion and metastasis.A growing body of literatures suggests that MMP-9 is unregulated in malignant tumors both in vitro and in vivo,thus leading to a specific degradation of ECM. Key words: Matrix metalloproteinases-9; Non-small cell lung cancer ;  Invasion and metastasis