Immunohistochemical detection of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 1 and 2, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP 2) in stage I and II endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent metalloendopeptidases which participate in the degradation of collagen and other extracellular matrix macromolecules. Expression of gelatonic MMPs, such as MMP-2 has been linked to enhanced tumor invasion and metastasis in in vitro and in vivo model systems. It was the aim of this study to determine whether the expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 correlates with survival in patients with surgically treated endometrial cancer. METHOD: A sample of 103 paraffin-embedded tumor specimens of surgical treated endometrial cancer was immunohistochemically investigated. RESULTS: MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 were detected by immunohistochemistry in 95% (98/103), 87% (89/103), and 80% (82/103) of the tumour samples, respectively. Correlation coefficients for MMP-1/MMP-2, MMP-1/TIMP-2, MMP-2/TIMP-2 were 0.28 (p = 0.004), 0.05 (p = 0.6), and -0.03 (p = 0.73), respectively. In the univariate analysis, the expression of MMP-1 (log-rank test, p = ns), MMP-2 (log-rank test, p = ns), and TIMP-2 (log-rank test, p = ns) were not associated with overall survival. CONCLUSION: MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-2, detected by immunohistochemistry are not helpful in predicting the prognosis of endometrial cancer patients.