Co-expression of metalloproteinases 11 and 12 in cervical scrapes cells from cervical precursor lesions.

The metalloproteinases (MMP) 11 and 12 have been shown to be expressed in cervical cancer (CC). In order to extend our previous results, these MMPs were evaluated in cervical precursor lesions. One hundred seventeen cervical scrapes: thirty-six normal, thirty-six low grade squamous lesions (LSIL), thirty-six high grade (HSIL), nine CC; and, also ninety-nine paraffin-embedded cervical lesions: fifteen normal cervices, thirty eight LSIL, sixteen HSIL, and five CC were collected.