Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT
Published on: January 22, 2018
Matrix metalloproteinase-7 expression in gastric carcinoma
Background/Aims:
Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) belongs to the same family as matrix degrading metalloproteinase (MMPs) that may play an important part in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. This study reports on the MMP-7 mRNA expression level both in human gastric carcinomas and the normal gastric mucosa.
Methods:
From fresh specimens of 47 surgical pairs of primary gastric carcinomas and corresponding normal tissue specimens, cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription (RT) and thereafter MMP-7 mRNAs were detected by means of a polymerase chain reaction. The tumour/normal (T/N) ratio of MMP-7 expression was calculated after correcting for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as an internal control.
Results:
The expression corrected levels of MMP-7 mRNA of the tumour was greater than that of the normal mucosa in 41 of 47 cases (87%). The 13 cases whose T/N ratio was more than 2.1 showed a deeper invasion of the gastric wall, and more frequent lymphatic or vascular permeations than the 34 cases whose T/N ratio was less than 2.0. An immunohistochemical study showed that MMP-7 was predominantly expressed in the cancer cells, weakly expressed in normal epithelial cells, and not expressed in the surrounding stromal cells.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that the overexpression of MMP-7 may thus play an important part in tumour invasion in gastric carcinomas while, in addition, MMP-7 may also prove to be a useful marker for determining the biological aggressiveness of gastric carcinoma.
Insights
Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is overexpressed in most gastric carcinomas, correlating with deeper invasion and metastasis. This suggests MMP-7 may be a useful marker for gastric cancer aggressiveness.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is implicated in cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
- Investigating MMP-7 mRNA expression in gastric carcinomas and normal gastric mucosa is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and compare MMP-7 mRNA expression levels in human gastric carcinomas versus normal gastric mucosa.
- To explore the correlation between MMP-7 expression levels and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were used to detect MMP-7 mRNA in 47 paired gastric tumor and normal tissue specimens.
- Tumor/normal (T/N) ratios of MMP-7 expression were calculated, normalized to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.
- Immunohistochemistry was performed to localize MMP-7 expression within tissue samples.
Main Results:
- MMP-7 mRNA expression was significantly higher in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues in 87% of cases (41/47).
- Higher T/N ratios (>2.1) were associated with deeper gastric wall invasion and increased lymphatic/vascular permeation.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed predominant MMP-7 expression in cancer cells, with minimal expression in normal epithelial cells and absence in stromal cells.
Conclusions:
- Overexpression of MMP-7 is strongly associated with tumor invasion in gastric carcinomas.
- MMP-7 may serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing the biological aggressiveness of gastric carcinoma.
- Targeting MMP-7 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer treatment.
