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Expression of Decorin in Esophageal Cancer in Relation to the Expression of Three Isoforms of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β1, -β2, and -β3) and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Activity

To determine the role of the reactive stroma in cancer progression, we investigated decorin (DCN) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β expression, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity in the tumorous esophagus. We found statistically insignificantly decreased levels of DCN expression in the pathological tissues. No obvious alterations in TGF-β expression were noticed. The highly significant increase in MMP-2 activity in cancers did not result in elevated levels of TGF-β dimers. Therefore, the system of TGF-β liberation from its complex with DCN by activated MMP-2 does not seem to contribute to esophageal cancerogenesis, although this hypothesis should be reevaluated with a larger study group.