MMP-10, MMP-7, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression in esophageal cancer.

Introduction: Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are involved in the spread of cancer.

Methods: We have evaluated the matrix metalloproteinases' (MMP-10, MMP-7) and their inhibitors' (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases - TIMP-1, TIMP-2) mRNA expression in 61 esophageal cancer samples from patients who had undergone surgery, by using real-time quantitative RT-PCR, and correlated the results with the patient clinicopathologic features.

Results: MMP-10, MMP-7, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 were overexpressed in 73%, 85%, 55% and 42% of esophageal cancer samples, respectively.

Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and podoplanin mRNA expression in esophageal cancer.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), VEGF-D, VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) and podoplanin (PDPN) are involved in the spread of cancer. The current study evaluated VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-3 and PDPN mRNA expression levels in 84 esophageal cancer samples from patients who had undergone surgery according to reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and correlated the results with the clinicopathological features. The effects on lymph node metastasis and survival were identified by performing univariate and multivariate analyses.

Serum soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) in patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Esophageal carcinomas have been shown to express Fas ligand (FasL) and down-regulate Fas to escape from host immune surveillance. Circulating soluble FasL (sFasL) has been suggested to provide protection from Fas-mediated apoptosis. The aim of this study was to assess serum sFasL levels in esophageal cancer.