The effect of matrix metalloproteinases and adhesion molecules on the prognosis in gastric carcinoma

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), adhesion molecules, and receptors are needed in the process of cancer growth. This study aims to investigate the role of MMP-3, MMP-10, MMP-11, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two gastric carcinoma cases who underwent gastrectomy were included in the study. The cases were inspected with regard to the presence/absence of lymph node and distant metastases. The selected paraffin blocks were immunohistochemically stained with MMP 3, MMP 10, MMP 11, ICAM (CD 54), and VCAM (CD 106). Results: Most of the cases (n: 50, 94%) with gastric cancer manifested cytoplasmic staining with MMP-11. MMP-10 expression was found in 45 of 52 (86.5%), MMP-3 staining was determined in 43 (82.6%) of gastric carcinomas. Different areas of differentiation within the tumor showed differences in MMP expression in terms of intensity and extensiveness. ICAM-1 expression was found in 47 of 52 (90.4%) cases and with VCAM-1, 46/52 (88.5%) of gastric cancers manifested positive staining. Its expression was found to be higher in the nonmetastatic group both in intestinal and diffuse types. VCAM-1 was diffusely expressed in gastric cancers. However, we did not determine a significant correlation concerning differentiation and lymph node and distant metastasis. Conclusions: MMP-3, MMP-10, MMP-11, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 are expressed in gastric cancers and are thought to be involved in tumor development. Levels of expression that decrease in parallel to decreasing differentiation in areas of differentiation within tumor corroborate the idea that they are related to tumor progression. Due to its relationship with metastasis, ICAM-1 expression in noncohesive cells supports the idea that ICAM-1 is a significant factor involved in metastasis development in gastric cancers. Decreased MMP-10 and MMP-11 expression in metastases suggest that these enzymes may also be linked to the metastatic potential of gastric cancers.