Involvement of matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in invasion and metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma.

Background: Activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) has been implicated in the progression, invasion, and metastasis of various cancers, but little information is available with regard to its role in pancreatic carcinoma with poor prognosis.

Methods: Gelatin zymography was used for the detection of latent and activated forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in 13 normal pancreatic tissue specimens, 14 chronic pancreatitis tissue specimens, and 33 pancreatic carcinoma tissue specimens. The gelatinase activity was quantified by densitometer, and the 66-kilodalton (kDa)/(66-kDa + 72-kDa) ratio was calculated as the MMP-2 activation ratio. Western blot analysis was performed to confirm the zymographic profile.

Results: Latent forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected in all samples of pancreatic carcinoma, chronic pancreatitis, and normal pancreatic tissue. The expression rate of the MMP-2 activated form in pancreatic carcinoma tissue specimens was 100% (33 of 33) but that of MMP-9 was 21%. The MMP-2 activation ratio in pancreatic carcinoma tissue specimens was significantly higher than that of chronic pancreatitis and normal pancreatic tissue specimens. The MMP-2 activation ratio in pT3 tumors was significantly higher than that in pT1 tumors. The MMP-2 activation ratio also was significantly higher in pancreatic carcinoma specimens with histologically positive regional lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis than those without metastasis. The MMP-2 activation ratio observed in patients who developed postresection recurrence within 6 months was significantly higher than that in patients without recurrence at 6 months.

Conclusions: The results of the current study indicate that MMP-2 activation plays a significant role in tumor invasion and metastasis in pancreatic carcinoma.