Role of MMPs expression in the invasion and metastasis of bladder cancer

Objective To investigate the role of MMPs expression in the invasion and metastasis of bladder cancer. Methods 50 patients with bladder cancer were selected as observation group. 30 healthy people were selected as control group. ELISA method was used to detect the serum contents of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The distribution and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by immunohistochemical SP method. The results of the two groups were compared. Results The serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 between bladder cancer with lymph node metastasis group and control group had statistically significant differences(t=7.532, 6.358, all P<0.05), and the differences between bladder cancer with lymph node metastasis group and bladder cancer without lymph node metastasis group were statistically significant(t=5.486, 6.225, all P<0.05), and the differences between bladder cancer without lymph node metastasis group and normal control group were statistically significant(t=9.687, 8.425, all P<0.05). The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in bladder epithelial tissues of normal control group was negative, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in tumor cells and stromal cells of 50 patients with bladder cancer metastasis was positive, mainly expressed in tumor cells, MMP-2 positive expression in 37 patients, MMP-9 positive expression in 49 patients. With the increase of tumor grade and lymph node metastasis, the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased obviously, the differences were statistically significant(χ2=9.268, 11.258, 8.412, 6.354, all P<0.05). MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were associated with tumor histological grade and lymph node metastasis in bladder cancer cell metastasis(χ2=11.742, P<0.05). Conclusion Serum contents and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are closely related with invasion and metastasis of bladder cancer, which can be used as objective indicators that estimate the prognosis of bladder transitional cell carcinoma. Key words: Urinary bladder neoplasms; Neoplasm metastasis; Matrix metalloproteinases