Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases and their local invasiveness and metastasis in Chinese human pancreatic cancer

Background and Objectives: The objective was to evaluate the potent role of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases(TIMPs) in processes leading to metastasis and local invasiveness of Chinese human ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas. We also evaluated a possible biological association between the gene expression and clinical manifestations. Methods: Northern blot and in situ hybridization have shown MMP and TIMP gene expression in the pancreas and alterations associated with neoplastic transformation. Fifteen cases of surgical pancreatic specimens were examined, using cDNA probes to MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP1. Findings were correlated with the size of tumor section, CA19-9, pathological classification, thrombosis, and infiltration of capsule and lymphonoids. Results: Increased levels of the mRNA of MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP1 genes, MMP2 approximate to MMP9<TIMP1, were found in pancreatic cancer tissues examined. Low levels of transcripts for MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP1 were detectable in pancreata of organ donors. Transcripts coding for MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP1 were found in both stroma and tumor cells. However, gene expression of MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP1 has shown an obvious correlation with the infiltration of capsule cells, surrounding lymphonoids and specific histopathological features. Conclusions: We concluded that the imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs may help physicians to assess the metastatic potential and then tell the prognosis of individual patients. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.