MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-1 IS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR-PROGNOSIS IN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of closely related p roteolytic enzymes which are involved in the degradation of different components of the extracellular matrix. There is increasing evidence t o indicate that individual MMPs have an important role in tumour invas ion and tumour spread. Monoclonal antibodies specific for MMP-1, MMP-2 , or MMP-9 have been produced, using as immunogens peptides selected f rom the amino acid sequences of individual MMPs. The presence of MMP-1 , MMP-2, and MMP-9 in oesophageal cancer was investigated by immunohis tochemistry on formalin-fixed, wax-embedded sections of oesophageal ca ncers. The relationship of individual MMPs to prognosis and survival w as determined. MMP-1 was present in 24 per cent of oesophageal cancers , while MMP-2 and MMP-9 were present in 78 and 70 per cent of tumours, respectively. The presence of MMP-1 was associated with a particularl y poor prognosis (log rank test 8.46, P<0.004) and was an independent prognostic factor (P=0.02). The identification of individual MMPs in o esophageal cancer provides a rational basis for use in the treatment o f oesophageal cancer of MMP inhibitors which are currently undergoing clinical trial. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.