High-Level Expression and Prognostic Significance of Matrix Metalloprotease-19 and Matrix Metalloprotease-20 in Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-19 and MMP-20 are important members of the MMP family, and their roles in tumor survivorship and progression are continually reported. This work aimed to determine the expression and prognostic significance of MMP-19 and MMP-20 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the levels of MMP-19 and MMP-20 expression in carcinoma tissues and paracancerous tissues from 102 PDAC patients.

RESULTS

The MMP-19 and MMP-20 were, respectively, expressed in 71.6% (73/102) and 70.6% (72/102) of carcinoma tissues, and the expression was positively correlated (r = 0.643, P < 0.001). High-level expression of MMP-19 and MMP-20 was strongly correlated with aggressive clinicopathological characteristics. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high-level expression of MMP-19 and MMP-20 was significantly associated with decreased event-free survival (P < 0.001) and overall survival (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that high-level expression of MMP-19 could act as an independent predictive biomarker for poor event-free survival and overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of MMP-19 and MMP-20 expression are significantly increased in PDAC. High-level expression of MMP-19 and MMP-20 is closely correlated to progression and prognosis of PDAC, and these may be considered as promising markers for unfavorable prognoses.