[Collagenase-3 (MMP-13) expression in epithelial cancers of the eyelids]

To determine, by means of immunohistochemistry, tumoral expression of collagenase-3, a matrix metalloproteinase linked to cancer and to basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the eyelid.

Retrospective review of 23 basal cell carcinomas and 25 squamous cell carcinomas of the eyelid treated at different hospitals during the last five years. We evaluated collagenase-3 expression and the possible relationship to patient and tumour characteristics which included age, sex, histological type, tumour location and surgical margins status.

65% of the basal cell carcinomas and 88% of the squamous cell carcinomas of the eyelids stained positively for collagenase-3. In both cases, the immunostaining was localized in the cytoplasm of the malignant cells and, occasionally in the surrounding stromal cells.

Statistical analysis showed no significant association between collagenase-3 immunostaining and patients or tumour characteristics but the expression of this protein was more intense in the epithelial tumoral cells located at the invading front which could explain the aggressive behaviour of this kind of tumours.