Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2008 May;51(5):527-533.

The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the progression of invasive cervical cancer

• Yu SY
• Cho Y
• Lim S
• Park YH
• Lee YW
• Choi YH
• Ro ES

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the progression of cervical cancer.
METHODS
A total 87 specimens of uterine cervix, representing 6 normal epithelium, 11 intraepithelial neoplasm, 25 cervical carcioma in situ (CIS), 19 cervical microinvasive carcinoma and 26 cervical invasive carcinoma, were evaluated. All specimens were prepared with tissue array method which can allow evaluation many specimens in one slide. The protein expressions of VEGF and MMPs (MMP-2, MMP-9) were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.
RESULTS
The protein expressions of VEGF and MMP-2 were increased significantly with the progression of cervical cancer (p<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in MMP-9 expression (p>0.05). The VEGF and MMP-2 expressions revealed positive correlations with the progression of cervical cancer.
CONCLUSIONS
The VEGF, MMP-2 in each or together may play a role in the progression of cervical cancer.

Keyword

Cervical cancer; VEGF; MMP; Tissue array method

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma in Situ
Cervix Uteri
Epithelium
Female
Matrix Metalloproteinases
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Matrix Metalloproteinases
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A