Objective: To explore the expression patterns of matrix metalloproteinase1 (MMP-1) in colon carcinoma and evaluate its clinical significance.
Methods: The expression of MMP-1 was detected by SP immunohistochemical method. The tissue microarray samples of 620 colon carcinoma patients were collected and the clinical data reviewed.
Results: The positive expression rate of MMP-1 in cancer tissue was higher than that of normal tissue [72.5% (421/581) vs 30.8% (179/581), P = 0.0001]. And the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). The positive rate in stages I and II [77.6% (235/303)] were higher than stages III and IV [66.9% (186/278), P = 0.0040], the former two stages showed a poor prognosis while the latter two stages a fair prognosis. The results of COX regression showed that a lower expression of MMP-1 (HR: 1.042, 95%CI: 0.770 - 1.410, P = 0.0001), tumor type (HR: 0.966, 95%CI: 0.571 - 1.633, P = 0.0150), local infiltration (HR: 0.576, 95%CI: 0.413 - 0.805, P = 0.0010) and infiltration of bowel wall (HR: 0.337, 95%CI: 0.197 - 0.575, P = 0.0001) were significant predictors of colon carcinoma.
Conclusion: As an independent prognostic factor of colon carcinoma, the expression of MMP-1 in cancer tissue has different prognostic implications according to various stages.