Expressions Of Focal Adhesion Kinase And Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 In Pituitary Adenomas

ObjectiveTo explore the expressions of focal adhesion kinase(FAK) and matrix metalloproteinase(MMP-9) in the pituitary adenomas .MethodsThe expressions of FAK and MMP-9 were determined by immunohisto- chemical technique in 50 pituitary adenoma tissues samples obtained by surgery,including 27 invasive pituitary adenomas and 23 non-invasive pituitary adenomas.The relationships of FAK and MMP-9 expressions with tumor invasiveness and the relationship among FAK and MMP-9 expressions in invasive pituitary adenomas were analysed.ResultsThe expressions of FAK and MMP-9 in the invasive pituitary adenomas are significantly higher than those in the non-invasive pituitary adenomas(P<0.05).The expression of FAK was positively related to that of MMP-9 in the invasive pituitary adenomas (P<0.05).ConclusionsThere was a significant correlation between invasive characters of pituitary adenomas and the over expression of FAK and MMP-9.It is suggested that the determination of expression levels of FAK and MMP-9 may be helpful to diagnosing invasive pituitary adenomas.