H. Tanimoto et al., Differential expression of matrix metalloprotease-7 in each component of uterine carcinosarcoma, ONCOL REP, 7(6), 2000, pp. 1209-1212
The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of matrix metallopr
otease-7 (MMP-7) in each component of uterine carcinosarcoma. Surgical spec
imens of primary tumors of uterine carcinosarcomas were obtained from 13 pa
tients. The carcinomatous component consisted of adenocarcinoma with or wit
hout squamous differentiation. The sarcomatous component consisted of spind
le cell sarcoma, chondrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, either alone or in co
mbination. The immunohistochemical expression of MMP-7 protein was examined
using the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex technique employing the anti-MM
P-7 monoclonal antibody. Expression of MMP-7 protein was detected in 9 (69.
2%) of 13 adenocarcinoma components, while no staining was observed in any
of the sarcomatous components examined. There was a statistically significa
nt difference of the positive rate for MMP-7 between epithelial components
and sarcomatous components of uterine carcinosarcoma (p<0.01). In some case
s, MMP-7 was abundantly expressed at the invasive front of adenocarcinomas.
It is concluded that MMP-7 protein is differentially expressed between the
carcinomatous component and the sarcomatous component of uterine carcinosa
rcoma. Each component of carcinosarcoma may have its own potential for inva
sion and metastasis. MMP-7 may contribute to the invasive nature or growth
capacity of the carcinomatous component of uterine carcinosarcoma, while it
may not have a relation to that of the sarcomatous components.