[Expression of MMP1 and TIMP1 proteins in lung cancer and its biological significance].

Objective: To investigate the expression of MMP1 and TIMP1 proteins in lung cancer tissues and its biological significance.

Methods: MMP1 and TIMP1 proteins were detected with the immunohistochemical method of avidin-biotin complex in formalin-fixed and routinely paraffin-embeded specimens of 46 patients.

Results: There was no correlation in MMP1 protein expression between normal lung tissues (20%) and lung cancer (52.2%); The positive rate of TIMP1 protein expression was significantly lower in lung cancer (41.3%) than that in normal lung tissues (80%); There was a significant correlation among MMP1 and TIMP1 protein expression and differentiation, TNM stages, and lymph node metastases of lung cancer. There was a significant negative correlation between MMP1 and TIMP1 protein expressions in lung cancer.

Conclusion: There is a correlation between MMP1 and TIMP1 protein expressions in lung cancer and the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer. The factors may be used as important biological markers in lung cancer.