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Updated: May 21, 2026
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Matrix metalloproteinase expression in basal cell carcinoma, squamous carcinoma, and melanoma: diagnostic and
Giovanni Francesco Spatola1, Alessandro Pitruzzella1, Antonino Gioacchino Listro2
1Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Introduction:
Skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Matrix metalloproteinases are zinc-dependent proteolytic enzymes that play a crucial role in tumor invasion and angiogenesis by degrading the extracellular matrix. This study aims to analyze the specific expression of three matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-14) to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the invasiveness of different skin cancer subtypes.
Methods:
The study involved 30 patients aged between 40 and 50 years: 10 diagnosed with BCC, 10 with SCC, and 10 with melanoma. A control group of 10 normal skin samples was also used. All tumor samples were selected from non-invasive, well-differentiated forms. The expression of MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-14 was detected using immunohistochemistry on deparaffinized tissue sections.
Results:
The IHC analysis revealed distinct expression patterns across the subtypes:Basal cell carcinoma: MMP-3 and MMP-14 were strongly expressed with both nuclear and cytoplasmic localization. MMP-9 expression was notably lower and limited to specific cells in the basal layersSquamous cell carcinoma: Only weak and diffuse cytoplasmic expression of MMP-14 was identified in the epidermal layers. MMP-3 and MMP-9 were completely absent.Melanoma: All three MMPs were highly expressed, exhibiting intense cytoplasmic and nuclear localization. MMP-3 and MMP-14 showed increased expression alongside significantly altered cellular architecture.
Discussion:
The differential findings suggest that MMP expression reflects the biological behavior and metastatic potential of each tumor. In Basal cell carcinoma, the significant expression of MMP-3 and MMP-14 suggests involvement in local proliferation and stromal remodeling rather than high metastatic capacity. The absence of MMPs in Squamous cell carcinoma may be due to intense keratinization and a loss of metabolic function in these tumor cells. In melanoma, the high expression of all three enzymes confirms their significant role in aggressive invasion and angiogenesis.
Conclusion:
MMP-3 and MMP-14 may serve as valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as potential therapeutic targets for skin cancer management.