Expression And Significance Of Gelatinases And Their Inhibitors In Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumours

Objective: To investigate the relationship of the expression of gelatinases(MMP-2 and MMP-9) and their tissue inhibitors(TIMP-2 and TIMP-1) to clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of MPNST.Methods: S-P immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, TIMP-1 in 58 MPNST, and the patients were followed-up.Resu I ts: (1) The expression of MMP-2 in MPNST was markedly higher than that in normal nerves and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors(P<0.05). Increased MMP-2 reactivity was significant for histologic grade and survival time(P<0.05), but not for sex, age, tumor size, site or recurrence. The expression of MMP-9 in MPNST was higher than that in normal nerves and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors, but no significant association was found between them. No significant association was found between the expression of MMP-9 and sex, age, tumor size, site ,histologic grade, recurrence , or survival time. (2) Theexpression of T1MP-2 in MPNST was markedly lowerer than that in normal nerves and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors(P<0.05). Lack of TIMP-2 expression was significant for histologic grade and survival time(P<0.05), but not for sex, age, tumor size, site or recurrence. The expression of TIMP-1 in MPNST was lowerer than that in normal nerves and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors, but no significant association was found between them. No significant association was found between the expression of TIMP-1 and sex, age, tumor size, site ,histologic grade, recurrence , or survival time. (3) Unbalance expression between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was significant for survival time(P<0.05), but not for recurrence. Unbalance expression between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was significant for neither recurrence nor survival time.Cone I us i ons: The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 is associated with histologic grade and survival time of MPNST. Increased MMP-2 reactivity and lack of TIMP-2 expression may play a role in occurrence and progress of MPNST. MMP-2 and TIMP-2 might be useful to define aggressiveness and prognosis of MPNST.