Immunohistochemical expression of CD44, matrix metalloproteinase2 and matrix metalloproteinase9 in renal cell carcinomas

Abstract Purpose The aim of our study was to investigate the clinicopathologic values of the expression of CD44, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, and MMP9 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Patients and methods A total of 107 clear cell RCCs (ccRCCs) and 32 nonclear cell RCCs (non-ccRCCs) were examined for CD44, MMP2, and MMP9 expression by immunohistochemistry. The membrane and cytoplasmic expression levels of the 3 proteins were scored by semiquantitative methods, and the correlations of the 3 proteins with clinicopathological parameters were verified. Results The expression levels of CD44, MMP2, and MMP9 were positively correlated with nuclear grade (grade 1–2 vs. grade 3-4) ( P  = 0.003, P P P  = 0.001). Furthermore, CD44 expression in ccRCCs and non-ccRCCs was correlated with shorter overall survival in the univariate analyses ( P P  = 0.015, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, which accounted for age, sex, nuclear grade, and pathologic stage, CD44 expression was an independent predictor of shorter overall survival only in ccRCCs. Correlations among the 3 proteins were all positive in ccRCCs, but in non-ccRCCs, only MMP2 and MMP9 were positively correlated. Conclusion CD44 expression may play an important role in the progression of both ccRCC and non-ccRCC. CD44 expression in ccRCC may be associated with elevated MMP2 and MMP9 expression levels, which is in contrast to non-ccRCC. The different correlations between CD44, MMP2, and MMP9 in ccRCC and non-ccRCC can be useful in understanding the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and stratifying patients for therapeutic purposes.