Different pattern of zymography between human gynecologic normal and malignant tissues.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate type IV collagenase in ovarian and endometrial cancer tissues.

Study Design: Tissue specimens were obtained from patients with ovarian and endometrial cancer and uterine myoma. Gelatinase activity was detected by zymography and quantitated by densitometer.

Results: Four dominant gelatinases were detected in ovarian and endometrial cancer tissues: 200, 130, 92, and 72 kd gelatinase. Other forms observed were 83 kd gelatinase, which is an active form of 92 kd gelatinase, and 66 kd gelatinase, which is an active form of 72 kd gelatinase. Densitometric analysis showed that the 92 kd/72 kd ratio in ovarian cancer tissues was significantly higher than in normal ovarian tissues (p < 0.05) and that the 66 kd/72 kd ratio was higher in ovarian cancer tissues (p = 0.07). Both ratios in endometrial cancer tissues were significantly higher than in normal endometrial tissues (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Gelatinase activity was remarkably higher in ovarian and endometrial cancer tissues. Especially, 92, 83, and 66 kd gelatinases were clearly detected in cancer tissues, suggesting that these gelatinases were related to the malignant phenotype, because degradation of the components of the basement membrane such as type IV collagen is necessary for cancer cells to metastasize.