[Expression and clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor in oral squamous cell carcinomas].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is closely associated with the metastasis and infiltration of tumor. It was recently discovered that it is also associated with angiogenesis of tumor. This study was designed to investigate the expressions of MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue and their association with metastasis and infiltration of OSCC.

METHODS

The expressions of MMP-9 and VEGF were detected on paraffin-embedded samples from 51 cases of OSCC, 10 cases of oral squamous cell papilloma, and 10 of normal oral mucosa by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

MMP-9 and VEGF showed negative or weak positive expression in normal oral mucosa and oral squamous cell papilloma. The positive expression rate of MMP-9 and VEGF in OSCC were 78.4% (40/50) and 82.4% (42/51); the coexpression of MMP-9 and VEGF was 66.7% (34/51).

CONCLUSION

There was difference between the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF in OSCC tissue. The infiltration of tumor cell is closely associated with the expression of MMP-9 (P < 0.01). Cervical lymph node metastasis closely correlates to the expression level of VEGF (P < 0.01). MMP-9 and VEGF could be used as biological indices for clinically evaluating infiltrative and metastatic potential of OSCC.