Comparative expression of matrix metalloproteinases in low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma and typical lung cancer

The molecular profile of low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas remains to be clarified. In the present study, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression was compared in low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and typical lung cancer. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9 was detected by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 110 patients (34 with low-grade MEC and 76 with matched typical lung cancers). A positive MMP-2 expression was found to be 35.29 vs. 65.79% in low-grade MEC and typical NSCLCs (p=0.003); a positive MMP-7 expression was 41.18 vs. 55.26% (p=0.172); and a positive MMP-9 expression was 35.29 vs. 57.89% (p=0.028). In conclusion, the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in low-grade MEC is lower than that in typical lung carcinomas.