Expression and Significance of Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 and uPA in Serous Ovarian Cancers

Objective To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7(MMP-7)and uPA in serous ovarian tumors as well as their relationships with clinical characteristics. Methods The expression of MMP-7 and uPA proteins were examined with immunohistochemical technique in the specimens from serous cystadenomas, serous cystadenocarcinomas and normal ovaries. Results No MMP-7 and uPA was detected in normal ovaries. The positive rates of MMP-7 and uPA were significantly higher in serous cystadenocarcinomas of ovary than in serous cystadenomas of ovary (87.5% vs. 16.7%, P=0.001<0.05; 85% vs 33.3%, P=0.001<0.05). MMP-7 expression was up-regulated significantly according to the increasing of clinical disease period raised, decreasing of tissue classification, invasion of pelvic and transferring of lymph node. Similar overexpression pattern of uPA was also found in these situations with a positive correlation with MMP-7. Conclusion MMP-7 and uPA may play an important role in the progression of serous ovarian tumors and they interacted with each other to improve the metastasis of serous cystadenocarcinomas of ovary.