Matrix metalloproteinases play a crucial role in tumour invasion and
metastasis.
Matrilysin (MMP-7) has been shown to correlate with nodal or distant
metastasis in
colorectal carcinomas; however, its implication in early invasive
colorectal carcinomas has not been determined. This study was undertaken to clarify the association of
matrilysin expression with clinicopathologic parameters in early invasive
colorectal carcinomas. 38 early invasive
colorectal carcinomas treated by local excision or radical surgery were examined. Tumour budding was evaluated as the number of dedifferentiation units along the entire invasive margin.
Matrilysin protein levels were determined using immunohistochemical study. Univariate analysis showed that
matrilysin expression alone was significantly associated with distant
metastasis (P = 0.0339), and both tumour budding and
matrilysin expression were significantly associated with adverse outcome (P = 0.0005, 0.0341). Histological differentiation, vessel invasion, and depth of invasion were not significantly associated with either distant
metastasis or adverse outcome. Multivariate analysis confirmed that tumour budding and
matrilysin expression were independently associated with adverse outcome, although the significance of
matrilysin expression was marginal (P = 0.0488). Tumour budding at the invasive margin and
matrilysin expression are more useful in identifying high-risk groups for adverse outcome in patients with early invasive
colorectal carcinomas.