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Increased MMP-21 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with progression and prognosis

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Abstract

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy, requiring effective biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic responsiveness. In this retrospective study of banked pathology material, we investigated the protein expression of MMP-21 in ESCC and its association with clinical significance. MMP-21 protein expression was investigated in 311 cases of ESCC by immunohistochemistry assay. Statistical analysis was utilized to evaluate the association of MMP-21 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival of patients with ESCC. Results showed that MMP-21 expression was significantly increased in ESCC (P < 0.001). It was also found that MMP-21 expression in ESCC was associated with tumor invasion (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), distant metastasis (P < 0.001) and TNM stage (P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed MMP-21 expression was associated with overall survival of patients with ESCC for patients with tumors of positive MMP-21 staining tend to have worse overall survival (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis proved that MMP-21 was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival for patients with ESCC (P < 0.001). These results suggested the potential role of MMP-21 in tumor progression and prognosis predication of human ESCC. It might also be a novel molecular target for therapeutic intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

    Zhengwei Zhao, Yongan Zhou & Xiaofei Li

  2. Sanatorium for Retired Cadres, Bayi Street, Shaanxi Military Region, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

    Lingling Yan

  3. Department of Digestive Surgery, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

    Shisen Li & Hao Sun

Authors
  1. Zhengwei Zhao
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  2. Lingling Yan
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  3. Shisen Li
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  4. Hao Sun
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  5. Yongan Zhou
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  6. Xiaofei Li
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yongan Zhou or Xiaofei Li.

Additional information

Zhengwei Zhao and Lingling Yan have contributed equally to this work.

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Zhao, Z., Yan, L., Li, S. et al. Increased MMP-21 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with progression and prognosis. Med Oncol 31, 91 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-014-0091-8

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