基质金属蛋白酶及其组织抑制因子在子宫内膜癌中的表达及其意义

目的　研究基质金属蛋白酶 (matrixmetalloproteinases,MMPs) 2、9及其组织抑制因子(tissueinhibitorofmetalloproteinases ,TIMPs) 1、2在子宫内膜癌中的表达 ,探讨其与子宫内膜癌浸润转移的关系。方法　应用链霉菌抗生物素蛋白 过氧化物酶免疫组织化学方法和明胶酶谱法对 37例内膜癌及 7例绝经期妇女子宫内膜组织中MMP 2、MMP 9、TIMP 1、TIMP 2蛋白及其活性进行检测。结果　MMP 2、MMP 9及TIMP 1、TIMP 2蛋白主要分布在内膜癌细胞、血管内皮细胞及绝经期子宫内膜腺上皮细胞中 ,在间质细胞中也有少量表达。内膜癌细胞中 ,MMP 2、MMP 9及TIMP 1蛋白的表达 ,病理分级为G3内膜癌的强阳性率分别为 73%、2 0 %及 6 7% ,高于G2 (13%、0及 2 7% )、G1 者 (均为 0 ,P<0 0 5 ) ;深肌层浸润内膜癌的强阳性率分别为 6 3%、16 %及 6 8% ,高于浅肌层浸润的 8%、0及 0 (P<0 0 1) ;有淋巴结转移者的强阳性率分别为 4例中 4例、4例中 3例及 4例中 4例 ,高于无淋巴结转移者的 2 5 %、0及 2 5 % (P <0 0 5 ) ;手术病理分期为Ⅲ～Ⅳ期者强阳性率分别为 5例中 5例、5例中 3例及 5例中 5例 ,高于Ⅰ～Ⅱ期者的 30 %、0及 30 % (P <0 0 5 ) ;TIMP 2蛋白在不同病理分级、肌层浸润、淋巴结转移和手术病理分期的内膜癌细     

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 expression is not regulated by norgestimate or norelgestromin.

Steroid hormones regulate endometrial expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors. Synthetic progestins are widely used in oral contraceptives and for hormone replacement therapy. To assess whether the synthetic progestins norgestimate and its derivative norelgestromin (17-deacetylnorgestimate) modulate the expression of MMPs, Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells were separately treated with 17 beta-estradiol, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, norgestimate and norelgestromin. Culture supernatants were assayed for MMPs 2, 3 and 9, and for tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). No marked modulation of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression was observed upon incubation of the cells with the synthetic progestins. By ELISA, neither MMP-3 or MMP-9 nor TIMP-1 immunoreactivity was detected. Interestingly, TIMP-2 expression was down-regulated by 17 beta-estradiol and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone.     

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-26 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases TIMP-3 and -4 in benign endometrium and endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their physiological inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs), play a key role in tumor cell invasion, angiogenesis, and growth. The aim of this study was to determine the expression and cellular distribution of MMP-26, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4 in endometrial cancers and benign endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and the correlation with tumor histological subtype, stage, and grade. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis using polyclonal antibodies generated against pro- and active MMP-26, and mono- and polyclonal antibodies specific to TIMP-3 and TIMP-4, respectively, was performed. RESULTS: MMP-26, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4 are expressed in endometrial carcinomas (N = 86) and benign endometrium (N = 50) from various stages of the menstrual cycle. Semi-quantitative analysis of staining intensity indicated that endometrial carcinomas expressed more MMP-26, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4 compared to benign endometrium from the postmenopausal period, but not from the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. The highest staining intensity was associated with endometrial epithelial cells, followed by vascular endothelial cells, myometrial smooth muscle cells, and endometrial stromal cells. Increased staining intensity of MMP-26 and TIMP-3 correlated with grade III tumors and MMP-26 and TIMP-4 with the depth of myometrial invasion in tumors histologically characterized as endometrioid adenocarcinoma, clear-cell, and papillary serous carcinoma staged/graded based on FIGO criteria. CONCLUSION: MMP-26 and TIMP-4 are expressed in endometrium and endometrial carcinoma and their elevated expression and correlation with myometrial invasion suggests that MMP-26 and TIMP-4 may play a key role in endometrial tumor progression.     

Nm23 expression in node-positive and node-negative endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationships between the expression of protein Nm23 and surgical stage, histologic grade, histopathologic findings, and survival in women with endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: 19 patients with lymph node involvement were matched with 24 patients without lymph node involvement and the best paraffin-embedded blocks were selected for Nm23 immunohistochemical staining. The slides were evaluated semiquantitatively according to their degree of cytoplasmic staining. Statistical analysis was performed to determine whether there was a relationship between Nm23 expression and surgical stage, histologic grade, depth of myometrial invasion, lymph node metastasis, and/or lymphovascular space involvement. Survival analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Slides from 15 patients (79%) with lymph node involvement and 22 patients (88%) without lymph node involvement were found to be positive for Nm23 (P=0.01). No significant relations were observed between Nm23 expression and surgical stage, histologic grade, depth of myometrial invasion, or lymphovascular space involvement. Nm23 expression was found to be significantly related to lower rates of lymph node metastasis and longer survival (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Elevated Nm23 expression is related to lower rates of lymph node metastasis and longer survival.     

MMP-2、TIMP-2、Ki-67在库肯勃氏瘤中的表达及意义

目的 :探讨MMP 2、TIMP 2、Ki 67表达与库肯勃氏瘤病理生物学行为的关系。方法 :采用免疫组化SP法对 32例库肯勃氏瘤组织和 10例正常卵巢组织进行MMP 2、TIMP 2和Ki 67表达的检测。结果 :MMP 2、TIMP 2、Ki 67在库肯勃氏瘤组织中的表达量显著高于正常卵巢组织 (P <0 .0 1)。有合并转移的库肯勃氏瘤中MMP 2、Ki 67高于无合并转移者 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,TIMP 2低于无合并转移者 (P <0 .0 5 )。MMP 2、Ki 67与术后生存时间呈负相关 (P <0 .0 1) ,TIMP 2与术后生存时间呈正相关 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :MMP 2、TIMP 2、Ki 67在库肯勃氏瘤发生、发展中起重要作用 ,可作为判断卵巢转移癌恶性程度、临床分期和评估预后的临床参考指标     

MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression in uterine leiomyosarcoma and correlation with different clinicopathologic parameters

OBJECTIVE: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been suggested to play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis because they degrade a wide range of components of the extracellular matrix. In the present study, we analyzed the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-2 proteins in patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma. METHODS: MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry from paraffin-embedded tissue sections in 21 patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS). The immunohistochemical findings were correlated with different clinicopathologic characteristics of the patients. RESULTS: MMP-1 was expressed in 86% and MMP-2 was expressed in 48% of uterine LMS. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between vascular space involvement and MMP-2 expression (P =.05) and between age and MMP-2 expression, with patients over 50 years old having significantly more frequent MMP-2-positive tumors than patients younger than 50 years (P =.006). The relationship between MMP-2 expression and tumor stage and recurrence disease did not reach statistical significance. A trend towards prolonged disease-free survival was observed in women with MMP-2-negative LMS compared with patients with MMP-2-positive LMS (P =.09). Furthermore, a univariate analysis revealed that early tumor stage (P =.0001), age at diagnosis less than 50 years (P =.02), and the absence of vascular space involvement (P =.04) were associated with longer overall survival. CONCLUSION: The statistically significant positive correlation between MMP-2 expression and vascular space involvement as well as the prolonged disease-free survival rate in patients with MMP-2 negative uterine LMS suggest that MMP-2 plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Further clinical studies with larger numbers of cases need to be performed to verify these findings.     

Prognostic significance of progesterone receptor immunohistochemistry for lymph node metastases in endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor (ER), p53 protein, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression constitute independent prognostic factors for lymph node metastases in endometrial carcinoma using immunohistochemical techniques on hysterectomy and biopsy specimens. METHODS: We evaluated the correlation between lymph node metastases and PR/ER immunohistochemistry, p53/PCNA expression, age, tumor grade, myometrial tumor invasion, cervical involvement, and ovarian metastases in a series of 99 cases of primary endometrial carcinoma surgically staged with systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy and para-aortic lymph node biopsy. RESULTS: Lymph node metastases from endometrial carcinoma were statistically correlated with negative PR immunohistochemistry (P = 0.001), intense p53 expression (66% or more of the tumor cells stained, P = 0.003), deep myometrial tumor invasion (greater than one-half, P = 0.001), and cervical involvement (P = 0.001). Tumor grade showed borderline statistical significance for lymph node metastases (P = 0.058). On multivariate analysis, negative PR, intense p53 expression, and cervical involvement were significant prognostic variables for lymph node metastases (P = 0.0001, 0.0023, and 0.002, respectively). Immunohistochemical study indicated that the PR status on preoperative biopsy specimens and hysterectomy specimens was in good agreement, but p53 status was not. Age, ovarian metastases, ER immunohistochemistry, and PCNA expression were not significantly related to lymph node metastases. CONCLUSION: PR immunohistochemistry appeared to be the most powerful prognostic factor associated with lymph node metastases in endometrial carcinoma, independent of other clinicopathological parameters.     

MMPs和TIMPs在卵巢上皮性肿瘤中表达的分析

目的　体内组织重建和生理过程中基质金属蛋白酶 (MMPs)和特异性抑制剂 (TIMPs)保持着动态平衡 ,不同的TIMP对不同的MMP具有不同的亲和性 ,本课题旨在研究MMP2、MMP9、TIMP1和TIMP2在卵巢上皮性肿瘤中的表达及其作用。方法　收集 1 996年 5月～ 2 0 0 1年 5月在浙江大学医学院附属妇产科医院行手术切除 ,并用福尔马林固定、石蜡包埋的 1 32例病例 ,运用免疫组织化学染色法检测。结果　MMP2、MMP9、TIMP1和TIMP2均表达于细胞胞浆内 ,均随着上皮性卵巢肿瘤恶性程度的增加 ,表达增强 ;在有淋巴结转移的患者中表达明显高于无淋巴结转移者 ;且MMP9 TIMP1、MMP2 TIMP2比例在恶性卵巢上皮性肿瘤中明显增高 ;相关性分析表明MMP2和TIMP2、MMP9和TIMP1间存在相关性 (P <0 0 0 0 1 )。结论　MMP2、MMP9、TIMP1和TIMP2与卵巢上皮性肿瘤的演化、侵袭过程关系密切     

Inhibitory effect of ginsenoside-Rb2 on invasiveness of uterine endometrial cancer cells to the basement membrane.

Ginsenoside-Rb2 derived from ginseng inhibited invasiveness to the basement membrane of endometrial cancer cell lines Ishikawa. HHUA and HEC-1-A cells. These cells dominantly expressed matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 (gelatinase A) among MMPs by zymography. Ginsenoside-Rb2 suppressed the expression and activity of MMP-2, but did not alter the expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 in the cells. Therefore, ginsenoside-Rb2 might inhibit invasiveness to the basement membrane via MMP-2 suppression in some endometrial cancers, and can be used as a medicine for inhibition of secondary spreading of uterine endometrial cancers.     

The association of transforming growth factor-beta 1 with myometrial invasion of endometrial carcinomas through effects on matrix metalloproteinase

OBJECTIVE: The association of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) with a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP), as well as myometrial invasion of endometrial cancer was studied. METHODS: The effects of TGF-beta 1 on cellular invasiveness, gelatinase activity, and expression of TIMP-1 were examined in 2 endometrial adenocarcinoma cell lines, KLE and Ishikawa. Plasma was obtained from 8 endometrial cancer patients with Stage-Ia disease, from 6 with Stage-Ib disease, and from 4 with Stage-Ic disease, and the levels of TGF-beta 1 were measured by enzyme immunoassays. The immunohistochemical expression of MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-beta 1, and TGF-beta receptor Type I in tumor tissue from the same patients also was detected. RESULTS: Invasiveness, gelatinase activity, and the expression of TIMP-1 were higher in KLE cells than in Ishikawa cells, and they were increased by treatment with rTGF-beta 1. The expression of TGF-beta receptor Type I was higher in KLE cells than in Ishikawa cells, which were unresponsive to exogenous TGF-beta 1. The plasma levels of TGF-beta 1 were greater in Stage-Ib and Stage-Ic patients than in Stage-Ia patients. MMP-9 and TGF-beta receptor Type I were expressed mainly in tumor cells, while TIMP-1 and TGF-beta 1 were localized in both tumor epithelial cells and stromal cells. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were expressed only in Stage-Ib and Stage-Ic patients, although TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta receptor Type I were ubiquitous. CONCLUSIONS: Myometrial invasion of endometrial cancers involves an increase in gelatinase activity, regulated to some extent by TGF-beta 1 in an autocrine or paracrine fashion.     

MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression correlates with poor prognosis in cervical carcinoma--a clinicopathologic study using immunohistochemistry and mRNA in situ hybridization.

OBJECTIVE: The spread of malignant neoplasms is closely associated with matrix and basement membrane degradation, mediated by various classes of proteolytic enzymes. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) appear to have a key role in the sequence of events that lead to local invasion and metastasis. The present study evaluated the role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2), and membrane-type metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in cervical neoplasia. METHODS: We have analyzed 49 uterine cervical squamous cell carcinomas, 10 cases of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN II-III), and 10 control cervices for the presence of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MT1-MMP using in situ hybridization. MMP-2 protein expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Results were analyzed for possible correlation with disease outcome. RESULTS: MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MT1-MMP mRNA were localized to both stromal and tumor cells. However, an intense signal for MMP-2 was detected almost exclusively in tumor cells and was uniformly absent from CIN lesions and control cervices. Conversely, intense signals for TIMP-2 and MT1-MMP were detected in both stromal and tumor cells of invasive carcinomas, more often for the former. As with MMP-2, they were absent from CIN lesions. MMP-2 protein expression was enhanced in tumor cells compared to CIN cases and controls, significantly compared to the latter (P = 0.01). The presence of both MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA in tumor cells correlated with advanced stage (P = 0.003 for MMP-2, P = 0.002 for TIMP-2) and with poor survival (P = 0.003 for MMP-2, P = 0.002 for TIMP-2) in univariate analysis. In addition, their presence in tumor cells intercorrelated (P = 0.002). In multivariate survival analysis, MMP-2 presence retained its association with survival (P = 0.004), in addition to patient age (P = 0.027) and advanced stage (P = 0. 0002). CONCLUSIONS: Both MMP-2 and TIMP-2 have a key role in extracellular matrix invasion in cervical carcinoma, largely through their elaboration by tumor cells. The presence of mRNA for both proteins is interrelated and is associated with poor survival.     

卵巢上皮性肿瘤组织中KiSS-1、基质金属蛋白酶9和核因子κBp65蛋白的表达及其相关性

目的 探讨KiSS-1、基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP-9）、核因子κB（NF-κB）p65蛋白3者在卵巢上皮性肿瘤组织中的表达及其相关性。方法 采用免疫组化方法检测50份卵巢上皮性癌（卵巢癌）、20份卵巢交界性肿瘤、20份卵巢良性肿瘤和10份正常卵巢组织中KiSS-1、MMP-9、NF-κBp65蛋白的表达,并分析其临床意义及3者间的相关性。结果 KiSS-1蛋白在卵巢癌组织中的阳性表达率（80％）明显高于良性肿瘤组织及正常卵巢组织（分别为35％、10％;P〈0．05）;在卵巢交界性肿瘤组织中阳性表达率（65％）明显高于正常卵巢组织（P〈0．05）。在卵巢癌组织中,KiSS-1蛋白阳性表达率与淋巴结转移有关（P〈0．05）,与手术病理分期、病理类型及病理分级均无关（P〉0．05）;MMP-9蛋白阳性表达率与手术病理分期及淋巴结转移有关（P〈0．05）,而与病理类型及病理分级均无关（P〉0．05）;NF-KBp65蛋白阳性表达率与手术病理分期、病理分级及淋巴结转移有关（P〈0．05）,而与病理类型无关（P〉0．05）。在卵巢癌组织中,KiSS-1与MMP-9、NF．KBp65蛋白表达呈显著负相关关系（rs=-0．547,P〈0．05;rs=-0．414,P〈0．05）;MMP-9与NF-κBp65蛋白表达呈显著正相关关系（rs=0．695,P〈0．05）。结论 KiSS-1基因可能对卵巢癌的转移起一定的抑制作用;KiSS-1基因可能通过抑制MMP-9、NF-κB基因,从而发挥抑制卵巢癌转移的作用。     

Intratumoral blood flow analysis in endometrial carcinoma: correlation with tumor characteristics and risk for recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to correlate intratumoral blood flow as assessed by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound with tumor histopathologic characteristics, tumoral stage, and risk for recurrence in endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Forty-five patients (mean age: 58.2 years, range: 30 to 83 years) with surgically treated endometrial carcinoma preoperatively evaluated with transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound were included in this retrospective study. The lowest arterial resistance index (RI) and highest peak systolic velocity (PSV) were used for intratumoral blood flow analysis. Individual tumor characteristics evaluated were tumor growth pattern, tumor size, histologic type, tumor grade, myometrial infiltration depth, cervical involvement, lymph node metastasis, and lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI). Tumoral stage and risk for recurrence were also evaluated. RESULTS: Significantly lower RI was found in tumors with the following characteristics: infiltrative growth pattern (P = 0,013), grade 3 (P = 0.001), infiltrating >or=50% of the myometrium (P = 0.006), cervical involvement (P = 0.009), LVSI (P = 0.008), lymph-node metastasis (P = 0.049), stage >or=Ic (P = 0.004), and high risk for recurrence (P = 0.001). Significantly higher PSV was found in tumors that were grade 3 (P = 0.034), infiltrating >or=50% of the myometrium (P = 0.029), stage >or=Ic (P = 0.015), and with a high risk for recurrence (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that a correlation between intratumoral blood flow features and histopathological characteristics, tumor stage, and risk for recurrence exists in endometrial cancer. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the clinical usefulness of preoperative assessment of tumor vascularization in these carcinomas.     

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-26 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-3 and -4 in normal ovary and ovarian carcinoma

The objective of this study was to determine the spatial expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their physiologic inhibitors, the tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-3 and TIMP-4, in ovarian carcinoma compared to normal ovaries. Immunohistochemistry was carried out in this study. Tissue sections prepared from normal ovarian tissues from throughout the menstrual cycle (N = 20) and ovarian carcinomas (N = 45) characterized as stage I (N = 5), stage III/IV (N = 40) were immunostained using polyclonal antibodies to the latent and the active form of MMP-26, TIMP-3, and a monoclonal antibody to TIMP-4. Immunoreactive MMP-26, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4 were detected in all the ovarian cell types in normal and tumor tissues. In normal ovarian tissues, theca externa and luteal cells immunostained with high intensity for MMP-26 and TIMPs while theca/granulosa cell staining intensity increased as lutenization progressed. There was low immunostaining of the ovarian stromal and surface epithelial cells for MMP-26, with moderate staining for TIMPs. In the carcinoma specimens, cancer cells and vascular endothelial cells displayed the highest staining intensity compared to adjacent nontumor areas. The immunostaining intensity of MMP-26 and TIMP-3 increased with stage of tumor with the invading tumor cells displaying the strongest immunostaining. MMP-26, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4 are expressed in normal ovarian as well as ovarian tumors with elevated expression in the invasive tumor cells suggesting a potential role for MMP-26 in normal ovary and ovarian cancer biologic function.     

Angiogenesis of endometrial carcinomas assessed by measurement of intratumoral blood flow, microvessel density, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between blood flow in the tumor assessed by color Doppler ultrasound, microvessel density, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Forty-nine patients undergoing surgery for endometrial carcinoma were enrolled. Transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound was performed preoperatively and the lowest resistance index (RI) in the tumor was recorded for analysis. Vascular endothelial growth factor in the tumor was quantified by enzyme immunoassay. The microvessel density of the excised tumor was assessed immunohistochemically. The relationships between the corresponding RI, microvessel density, and vascular endothelial growth factor level of the tumor tissues and clinical and pathologic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Significantly lower RIs were noted in tumors of stage II or greater (0.37 compared with 0.50, P <.001), of high histologic grade (grade 3) (0.34 compared with 0.49, P =.004), with deep myometrial invasion (one-half depth or greater) (0.39 compared with 0.49, P =.002), with lymphovascular emboli (0.38 compared with 0.49, P <.001), or with lymph node metastasis (0.30 compared with 0.49, P <.001) compared with stage I tumors and tumors of histologic grade 1 or 2, with superficial myometrial invasion, without lymphovascular emboli, or with no lymph node metastasis. Increased vascular endothelial growth factor levels and microvessel density (x200 field) also were detected in tumors of stage II or greater (975 compared with 129 pg/mg, P =.014; and 88 compared with 61, P =.018, respectively), with lymphovascular emboli (1138 compared with 120 pg/mg, P =.002; and 86 compared with 63, P =.023), or with lymph node metastasis (1011 compared with 95 pg/mg, P <.001; and 98 compared with 61, P =. 019). Resistance index, microvessel density, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in the tumor showed linear correlations (RI compared with microvessel density: r = -.32, P =. 03; RI compared with vascular endothelial growth factor levels: r = -.40, P =.004; microvessel density compared with vascular endothelial growth factor levels: r =.36, P =.011). CONCLUSION: Blood flow assessed by color Doppler ultrasound has histologic and biologic correlations with angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor levels and might play an important role in predicting tumor progression and metastasis in endometrial carcinoma.     

Prognostic significance of stromal metalloproteinase-2 in ovarian adenocarcinoma and its relation to carcinoma progression

OBJECTIVES: MMP-2 expression in ovarian cancer cells has been correlated with poor prognosis. This study attempts to assess the prognostic importance of stromal MMP-2 in patients with ovarian endometrioid and serous adenocarcinoma. METHODS: MMP-2, MMP-2 activator, MT1-MMP, and its inhibitor (TIMP-2) were immunostained in 84 primary epithelial ovarian carcinomas (EOCs) (35 endometrioid adenocarcinomas [ECs] and 49 serous adenocarcinomas [SCs]). Results were correlated to pathological subtypes, tumor stage, grade, size, and to recurrence-free and cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: MMP-2 and stromal MMP-2 were detected in all carcinoma cells of 22.2% of EC and 77.8% of SC tumors. MT1-MMP co-localized with MMP-2. TIMP-2 staining was weak and cytoplasmically distributed in all tumors. Univariant analysis showed expression of stromal MMP-2 significantly associated with advanced stage (P = 0.018), higher grade (P = 0.005), serous subtype (P = 0.02), smaller tumor size at operation (P = 0.001), and higher incidence of recurrence (P = 0.042), but not with the rate of death due to cancer. By multiple Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, patient survival and disease-free survival were significantly related to the presence of stromal MMP-2 in EC but not SC patients (P < 0.05). However, after multivariant analysis, the associations with patient age, tumor stage, grade, and size no longer existed. In stepwise selection, tumor stage remained the most important predictor of patient survival and disease-free survival in ovarian EC and SC, but stromal MMP-2 remained the most important predictor of recurrence-free survival in patients with EC. CONCLUSIONS: Stromal MMP-2 occurs early and may play a role early in EOC invasion. Tumor stage and stromal MMP-2 are important predictors of disease-free survival.     

Endometrial cancer: predictors of peritoneal failure

OBJECTIVE: To assess determinants of peritoneal failure in endometrial cancer patients after definitive primary treatment. METHODS: Of 599 patients with endometrial cancer who had primary surgery at our institution during the decade before 1994, 131 had relapse. We defined "peritoneal failure" as relapse when it occurred in the upper abdomen or involved the pelvic peritoneum (or both). Mean follow-up was 72.8 months. RESULTS: Peritoneal failure was detected in 37 of 599 (6%) patients and represented 28% of identified failures. Stage IV disease, cervical stromal invasion, adnexal involvement, myometrial invasion >50%, primary tumor diameter >2 cm, positive peritoneal cytology, lymph node metastasis, histologic grade 3, nonendometrioid histologic subtype, absence of associated hyperplasia, and lymphovascular invasion correlated significantly (P < 0.01) with peritoneal failure. However, on regression analysis, only stage IV disease (P < 0.001, relative risk [RR] = 7.53), nonendometrioid histologic subtype (P = 0.02, RR = 3.01), and cervical stromal invasion (P = 0.04, RR = 2.83) were independent predictors of peritoneal failure. Because 22 of 37 (59%) peritoneal failures were in patients with stage IV disease, we considered separately the 545 patients with stage I-III disease. On regression analysis, nonendometrioid histologic subtype (P < 0.001, RR = 11.58), positive peritoneal cytology (P = 0.009, RR = 6.72), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.02, RR = 5.10), and cervical stromal invasion (P = 0.04, RR = 3.10) were independent predictors of peritoneal failure. Of the 38 patients in whom at least two of these four predictors were positive, 26% had peritoneal failure at 5 years, compared with 1% of the 507 patients who had none or only 1 predictor (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with stage IV disease and those with stage I-III disease and at least two of the four independent predictors (nonendometrioid histology, positive peritoneal cytology, cervical stromal invasion, and lymph node metastasis) would be candidates for new therapeutic trials incorporating surgical and adjuvant treatment targeting the entire abdominal cavity.     

Expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 associated with expression of VEGF in primary cervical cancer and at metastatic lymph nodes

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the relationship between expression of COX-1, COX-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and their association with clinicopathological features in primary tumor and metastatic lymph node specimens from cervical cancer patients. The relationship between COX-2 expression and human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity was also examined. METHODS: The following samples were analyzed: 97 paraffin-embedded specimens from patients with cervical cancer (Ib-IIb), including 49 primary cervical cancer specimens without lymph node metastasis and 24 primary specimens with lymph node metastasis and their metastatic lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with antibodies to COX-1, COX-2, and VEGF. HPV viratype was identified by PCR and HPVDNAChip. RESULTS: VEGF expression was strongly correlated with expression of COX-1 (P = 0.03) and not COX-2 (P = 0.12) in primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes. COX-2 expression correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001), but not with any other clinicopathological features. The parametrial invasion showed borderline significance with COX-2 expression (P = 0.058). COX-1 or VEGF expression did not correlate with any clinicopathological features. In addition, COX-2 expression was not associated with HPV positivity.COX-1 expression is associated with VEGF expression in primary tumor tissue and at sites of metastasis to lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: COX-2 expression is associated with lymph node metastasis and possibly parametrial invasion, but expression of COX-1 and VEGF is not associated with clinicopathological features. COX-2 expression is not associated with HPV positivity.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF-A/VEGF-1 and VEGF-C/VEGF-2) in postmenopausal uterine endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the expression of two angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factors, VEGF-A/VEGF-1 and VEGF-C/VEGF-2, in 228 cases of uterine endometrial carcinomas from postmenopausal patients to evaluate the correlation with histopathologic features and clinical outcome. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to assess VEGF-A/VEGF-1 and VEGF-C/VEGF-2 expression in 228 primary surgically treated cases of postmenopausal endometrial carcinomas and the results were statistically analyzed in relation to vascular invasion, depth of invasion (myometrial vs serosal-parametrial invasion), lymphatic vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis, disease-free 5-year survival rate (DF5YR), and disease-free 10 year-survival rate (DF10YR). RESULTS: The results of univariate analysis showed that VEGF-A/VEGF-1 and VEGF-C/VEGF-2 expression correlated with vascular invasion (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0006), depth of invasion (P = 0.0004, P = 0.043), lymphatic vessel invasion (P = 0.021, P < 0.0001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0017, P = 0.0008), DF5YR (P = 0.0081, P = 0.0002), and DF10YR (P = 0.0077, P = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0017, P = 0.0008), parametrial-serosal invasion (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001), and VEGF-C/VEGF-2-positive status (P = 0.03, P = 0.01) were significant factors in DF5YR and DF10YR. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that VEGF-A/VEGF-1 and VEGF-C/VEGF-2 expression was predictive of these histopathologic features of endometrial carcinoma and clinical outcome.