MMP-7 overexpression is an independent prognostic marker in gastric cancer

To enable cancer to invade and to metastasize, the surrounding stroma must be degraded. Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is capable of degrading many extracellular matrix proteins and cellular adhesions, is overexpressed in many malignancies, and plays a role in tumour progression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between MMP-7 tissue expression and patients' prognosis in gastric cancer. From 264 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer, surgical specimens were collected on tissue array blocks and stained by immunohistochemistry for MMP-7. In 27 (10.2%) of the specimens, immunopositivity was found as high, in 50 (18.9%) as moderate and in 51 (19.3%) as weak. In 136 cases (51.5%), the immunopositivity was negative. A statistically significant correlation appeared between high MMP-7 expression and poor survival. In conclusion, our results suggest that MMP-7 expression may prove helpful in evaluating gastric cancer prognosis.