Expressions of Matrix Metalloproteinases 2, 7, and 9 in Carcinogenesis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Abstract EN

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly fatal disease, usually diagnosed in an advanced stage which gives a slight chance of recovery.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that participate in tissue remodeling and stimulate neovascularization and inflammatory response.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 in normal ducts, tumor pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, and peritumoral stroma in correlation with clinicohistopathological parameters.

The study material was obtained from 29 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 were performed by immunohistochemical technique.

Microvessel density (MVD) was visualized by special immunostaining.

The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 were mainly observed in tumor cells and peritumoral stroma.

MMP-2 expression in cancer cells was correlated with female gender, stronger inflammation, and histopathological type of cancer ( R = 0.460 , p = 0.013 ; R = 0.690 , p = 0.0001 ; R = - 0.440 , p = 0.005 , resp.).

The expression of MMP-7 in tumor cells was found to positively correlate with the presence of necrosis and negatively correlate with MVD ( R = 0.402 , p = 0.031 ; R = - 0.682 , p = 0.000 ).

We also showed that positive MMP-9 expression in tumor cells was associated with MVD ( R = 0.368 , p = 0.084 ); however, it was not statistically significant.

Our results demonstrate that MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 expressions correlate with various morphological features of the PDAC tumor such as inflammation, necrosis, and formation of the new blood vessels.