Expression of matrix metalloproteinase (gelatinase) in T1 adenocarcinoma of the lung

Abstract
The expression of matrix mdalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2; 72 kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase A) and MMP-9 (92 kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase B) was Immunohisto chemically Investigated In 79 T1 adenocarcinomas of the lung using non-commerclal polydonal anti-MMP-2 and -9 antibodies. Thirty-two (41%) and 22 (28%) among the 79 cases were positive in the tumor cells for MMP-2 and -9, respectively. The incidences of MMP-2 and -9 Immunoreactivities were higher (64 and 45%, respectively) in poorly differentiated tumors than in well differentiated tumors (36 and 25%, respectively), and lower in bronchloloalveolar carcinoma (22 and 10%, respectively) compared with other subtypes of adenocarcinoma. The prognosis for patients with MMP-2 andor -9 positive Immunoreactivities was significantly poorer than for those with a MMP-negative tumor (P<0.05). The degree of collagenization was divided into four grades, and tumors with a small to abundant amount of collagen (grade 2 and grade 3 fibrosis) had a higher Incidence of Immunoreactivity to both types of MMP. It is estimated that these expressions might be responsible for tumor Invasion, metastasis, and for grade 2 and grade 3 fibrosis In T1 adenocarcinoma of the lung.

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