The matrix metalloproteinase in larynx cancer

One of the most common carcinoma occurring in the head and neck is laryngeal cancer. Despite the rapid scientific advances in medicine the prognosis for patients with such type of disease is not satisfying. In the last few years matrix metalloproteinases - MMPs and their tissue inhibitors - TIMPs, mostly MMP-2 and MMP-9, arouses a great interest, especially in the process of carcinogenesis. It seems that their impact in the formation and development of laryngeal cancer is significant. MMPs a group of zinc- and calcium-dependent endopeptidases play crucial role extracellular matrix collagen degradation. That are enzymes, that degrade and the basement membrane by facilitating tumor growth, cell migration and tumor invasion. They are implicated in metastasis and angiogenesis potentiate within the tumor. Clear tendency was observed towards the higher MMPs and TIMPs expression in larynx cancer than in the stroma. Recent studies show correlations between increased MMP-2 gene expression in the tumor tissue and clinical status, histopathological grading and metastases occurrence. The similar MMP2 over expression dependence were found on tumor recurrence and survival. Many authors pointed out, significant higher MMP-2 expression as a potential marker of tumor invasiveness and worse prognosis in patients with larynx cancer. However, association of MMP 9 gene expression with laryngeal cancer clinicopathological features and survival of patients are ambiguous. Although, numerous researches show that this relationship does exists. Similar correlations could be found in TIMPs, but further studies are necessary because of small amount of literature.