The correlation between immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2 and the prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer

The Objectives: The goal of the study was to evaluate the correlation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression with tumor spread, metastasis, survival and recurrence in early and advanced-stage Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC). Medical records of patients, hospitalized at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Izmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital between 2003 and 2008, were reviewed. Patient age, tumor size, localization, histologic type and tumor grade, stage, metastasis status, patient outcomes and follow-up data were obtained from the records of the obstetrics and gynecology clinic, as well as during face-to-face or telephone interviews. The percentage of MMP-2 staining (expression) in the epithelial cells was not significantly associated with tumor stage and grade, histologic type, tumor diameter recurrence and overall survival (p > 0.05). A significant correlation was found between the percentage of MMP-2 staining (expression) and metastasis status (p < 0.05). The staining intensity of MMP-2 was not significantly associated with tumor stage and grade, diameter recurrence, metastasis and overall survival (p > 0.05), but was with histologic type (p < 0.05). Total scores were not significantly associated with tumor stage and grade, histologic type, tumor diameter recurrence, metastasis and overall survival (p > 0.05). Stromal staining (expression) of MMP-2 was not significantly correlated with tumor stage and grade, histologic type, tumor diameter and outcomes (p > 0.05), but was with recurrence and presence of metastasis (p < 0.05). No significant association was found between the overall survival and percentage of MMP-2 staining (p > 0.05), total score (p > 0.05) and staining intensity (p > 0.05). The association of disease-free survival with the percentage of MMP-2 staining (p > 0.05), total score (p > 0.05), staining intensity (p > 0.05) and stromal staining (p > 0.05) was not statistically significant. The survival of patients with positive stromal staining was significantly shorter compared to cases with negative stromal staining (p < 0.05). Large-scale, comprehensive research is needed to verify whether MMP 2 may be used as a routine prognostic factor for EOC.