Expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in human gastric carcinoma

Abstract

The present report investigated the correlation between the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in gastric carcinoma patients and the clinicopatho­logical characteristics. Forty‑five samples of gastric carcinoma and distal gastric mucosa tissue, and 10 samples of healthy gastric mucosa tissue were analyzed using semi‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, as well as immunohistochemical and hematoxylin and eosin staining. MMP‑9 protein levels in serum samples from the same patients were quantified by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. The present report identified that MMP‑9 expression was markedly higher in the gastric carcinoma tissue (86.67%) than in the adjacent healthy tissue (10.00%). A positive association was identified between the level of MMP‑9 protein expression and the depth of cancer invasion (P<0.05). Furthermore, the preoperative serum levels of the MMP‑9 protein in the gastric carcinoma tissue were correlated with the tumor‑node‑metastasis stage and occurrence of lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). Data from the present report indicates that MMP‑9 may be key in gastric carcinoma malignancy, and implies that MMP‑9 may serve as a novel biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric carcinoma.