RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To study MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 expression, and their association to invasion and metastasis of neuroblastoma (NB). METHODS: The staining status was compared of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 in cryostat sections of tumor tissue in 35 NB patients by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Strong expression of MMP-2 was detected only in 2 patients with early stage NB (group A without metastasis), but in 9 and 10 respectively with advanced stage NB (group B with local metastasis and group C with distant metastasis) (compared to group A, P < 0.01). Strong MMP-9 staining was found in 4, 8 and 11 patients for group A, B and C patients (group A vs group C, P < 0.05). The expression of TIMP-2 was the strongest in 4 group A patients, but it decreased with progression of the disease. There was no statistical difference in TIMP-1 expression among the three groups of patients. CONCLUSION: MMP-2, MMP-9 expression may be related to metastasis and progression of neuroblastoma, while TIMP-2 may have an inhibitory effect.
