Clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinases-3 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in pancreatic carcinoma

AIM:To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and matrix metalloproteinases-3(MMP-3)in pancreatic carcinoma(PC)and to analyze their relationship with tumor angiogenesis,invasion and metastasis.METHODS:The protein expression of VEGF and MMP-3 and microvessel density(MVD) were detected by immunohistochemistry in 56 PC specimens and 56 normal pancreatic tissue specimens.RESULTS:The positive rates of both MMP-3 and VEGF were significantly higher in PC than in normal pancreatic tissue(75.00%vs 3.57%,67.85%vs 1.78%,both P<0.01).There was a positive correlation between the expression of VEGF and that of MMP-3.Higher expression of MMP-3 was detected in late-stage PC and PC with lymph node metastasis.The expression of VEGF was correlated with clinical stage(P< 0.05).MVD was correlated with expression of MMP-3 and VEGF in PC(both P<0.05).CONCLUSION:MMP-3 and VEGF may promote tumor angiogenesis and play an important role in the development and progression of PC.Detection of MMP-3 expression could be used to predict early metastasis of PC.Lower expression of VEGF may be related to lower arterial blood supply in PC.