[Expression of MMP-2 and E-CD in salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma and its correlation with infiltration, metastasis and prognosis].
OBJECTIVE: To study the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and E-cadherin (E-CD) in salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and their relationship with clinical stages, pathological grading, lymph node metastasis and prognosis. METHODS: Surgical specimens of salivary mucoepidermiod carcinoma and normal salivary gland tissue were collected. MMP-2 and E-CD were stained immunohistochemically with streptavidin peroxidase method. RESULTS: The expression of MMP-2 was increased and the expression of E-CD was reduced or negative in salivary mucoepidemoid carcinoma compared with those of the normal salivary gland. Expression of MMP-2 and E-CD was closely correlated with lymph node metastasis of the mucoepidermoid carcinoma. MMP-2 was positively correlated with the prognosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and E-CD was negatively correlated to the prognosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The expression of MMP-2 and E-CD is closely correlated with the metastasis and prognosis of salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma.