MMP-2, TIMP-2 and CD44v6 expression in non-small-cell lung carcinomas

Factors that emerge as crucial participants in tumour invasion and metastases are matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) inhibitors and cellular adhesion molecules (CD44 and similar molecules). They play important roles in tumour invasion and metastasis in non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs).

The study was performed using the data of 33 patients. MMP-2 from the metalloproteinase family, TIMP-2 from the metalloproteinase inhibitor family and the adhesion molecule CD44v6 expression were investigated immunohistochemically to search their role in the metastasis and the clinical outcome of the patients with NSCLCs.

Twenty-three tumours (70%) were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 9 (27%) were adenocarcinoma (AC), and 1 (3%) was large cell carcinoma (LCC). MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were expressed in high rates in NSCLC but CD44v6 expression was about 50%. Lymphatic invasion was less frequent in TIMP-2- positive patients and this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.005). There was a statistically significant difference between SCCs and ACs with respect to CD44v6 tumoral expression (P = 0.004). Also, there was a negative correlation between lymphatic invasion and the extent of CD44v6; lymphatic invasion was significantly less in CD44v6-positive cases (P = 0.013).

We found that TIMP-2 and CD44v6 can decrease the lymphatic invasion in NSCLCs. Also there was observed histiotype-related pattern of CD44v6 variant expression in SCCs.