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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Heteromulticellular Stromal Cells in Scaffold-free 3D Cultures of Epithelial Cancer Cells to Drive Invasion
Published on: April 4, 2025
Stromal cells play a role in cervical cancer progression mediated by MMP-2 protein
T Fernandes1, L A de Angelo-Andrade, S S Morais
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, CP, Brazil.
Abstract:
Metalloproteinases, especially metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), are known for their role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix. Nevertheless, a thorough understanding of MMP-2 expression in neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix has yet to be accomplished. This study aimed to analyze the MMP-2 expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III (CIN3) and in cervical squamous cell carcinoma, in tumor cells and adjacent stromal cells. MMP-2 expression was assessed by an immunohistochemical technique. MMP-2 expression was greater in the stromal cells of invasive carcinomas than in CIN3 (p < 0.0001). MMP-2 expression in stromal cells correlates with the clinical stage, gradually increasing as the tumor progresses (p = 0.04). This study corroborates that stromal cells play an important role in tumor invasion and progression, mediated by the progressive enhancement of MMP-2 expression from CIN3 to advanced invasive tumor. The intense MMP-2 expression most probably is associated with poor tumor prognosis.
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