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Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 involving in growth, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) expression in caricinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer.


METHODS
We studied MMP-7 expression and microvessel density (MVD) in adjacent mucosa and primary foci of 113 cases of gastric cancer by streptavidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase method using anti-MMP-7 and anti-CD34 antibodies. MMP-7 expression and mean MVD were compared with clinicopathological features of gastric cancer, with the relationship between MMP-7 expression and MVD concerned in gastric cancer.


RESULTS
MMP-7 showed positive expression in adjacent mucosa of gastric cancer (29.20%, 33/113), less than that in gastric cancer (69.03%, 78/113). MMP-7 expression in primary foci of gastric cancer was positively correlated with tumor size, invasive depth, metastasis and TNM staging (P<0.05), but not with differentiation or growth pattern of gastric cancer (P>0.05). Positive correlation of mean MVD with tumor size, invasive depth, metastasis and TNM staging was found (P<0.05), despite no relationship between mean MVD and differentiation of gastric cancer (P>0.05). Mean MVD was dependent on MMP-7 expression in gastric cancer (P<0.05).


CONCLUSION
Upregulated expression of MMP-7 played an important role in carcinogenesis and progression by participating in growth, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of gastric cancer. MMP-7 expression could be regarded as an effective and objective marker to reflect the biological behaviors of gastric cancer.