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. 2011 Jun;4(2):88-94.
doi: 10.3342/ceo.2011.4.2.88. Epub 2011 May 31.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil and their clinical significance

Sei Young Lee  1 , Sung Yoon Park, Se-Heon Kim, Eun Chang Choi
Affiliations

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil and their clinical significance

Sei Young Lee et al. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2011 Jun.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil and to correlate expression profiles with clinicopathological characteristics.

Methods: Paraffin blocks were obtained from 45 tonsil squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients, who underwent surgery as an initial treatment between 1994 and 2004, and from 20 normal controls. Expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were investigated immunohistochemically.

Results: The expressions of MMPs (except MMP-2) and TIMPs were found to be significantly different in tonsil SCC and normal control tissues. Furthermore, MMP-13 expression was found to be correlated with tumor invasion (P=0.05), and the expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 with nodal metastasis (P=0.048, 0.031). No relation was found between MMP or TIMP expression and recurrence. However, MMP-9 expression was found to be significantly associated with 5-year survival in tonsil SCC patients by multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 3.853; P=0.013).

Conclusion: Significant overexpressions of multiple MMPs and TIMPs were found in tonsil SCC tissues. Furthermore, our findings suggest that MMP-9 expression might be a useful prognostic factor.

Keywords: MMP; Prognosis; Squamous cell carcinoma; TIMP; Tonsil.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Immunohistochemistry in squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and 13 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and 2 immunostaining were observed in tumor cells and/or stroma but MMP-9 immunostaining was observed in tumor cells only (×400). (A) MMP-2 immunostaining in tumor cells. (B) MMP-2 immunostaining in stroma. (C) MMP-9 immunostaining in tumor cells. (D) MMP-13 immunostaining in tumor cells. (E) MMP-13 immunostaining in stroma. (F) TIMP-1 immunostaining in tumor cells. (G) TIMP-1 immunostaining in stroma. (H) TIMP-2 immunostaining in tumor cells. (I) TIMP-2 immunostaining in stroma.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Overall 5-year survival of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma patients (n=44).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Kaplan-Meier curves for tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma with respect to matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in tissues.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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