The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the progression of invasive cervical cancer / 대한산부인과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the progression of cervical cancer. METHODS: A total 87 specimens of uterine cervix, representing 6 normal epithelium, 11 intraepithelial neoplasm, 25 cervical carcioma in situ (CIS), 19 cervical microinvasive carcinoma and 26 cervical invasive carcinoma, were evaluated. All specimens were prepared with tissue array method which can allow evaluation many specimens in one slide. The protein expressions of VEGF and MMPs (MMP-2, MMP-9) were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The protein expressions of VEGF and MMP-2 were increased significantly with the progression of cervical cancer (p0.05). The VEGF and MMP-2 expressions revealed positive correlations with the progression of cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The VEGF, MMP-2 in each or together may play a role in the progression of cervical cancer.