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. (C) 1998 American Cancer Society.