The
matrix metalloproteinase matrilysin has been implicated in the progression of gastrointestinal and other
cancers. The aim of this study was to determine whether
matrilysin has clinicopathological and prognostic significance in
pancreatic carcinoma. Using immunohistochemistry, we analyzed 39 pancreatic
adenocarcinoma tissues for expression of
matrilysin. The results were matched with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival. The relationship of
matrilysin expression with p53 expression or cellular proliferation determined by Ki-67 expression was also investigated. Sections with immunostaining signals in more than 30% of
carcinoma cells at the invasive front, which were observed in 25 (64%) cases, were judged to be positive for
matrilysin.
Matrilysin positivity was significantly correlated with infiltrating growth pattern,
lymph node metastasis, and postoperative recurrence. Expression of
matrilysin was not correlated with either Ki-67 or p53 expression. Patients with
matrilysin-positive
carcinoma had a significantly shorter overall survival time than did those with
matrilysin-negative
carcinoma. Our results suggest that
matrilysin plays a key role in the progression of
pancreatic carcinoma.