Prognostic value of microvessel density, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and p53 protein expression in esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND Worldwide, esophageal carcinoma is one of the most aggressive cancers. It is relatively common in many countries and characterized by poor prognosis and rapid clinical progression. PURPOSE In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of CD34, the marker of vascular endothelial cells, MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase type 9) and p53 in esophageal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-four archival tissue specimens, 38 cases with esophageal carcinoma and six cases with normal mucosa, were immunohistochemically stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD34,MMP-9 and p53. In addition, flow cytometric DNA analysis was carried out for patients and controls. RESULTS The results showed that the DNA content was diploid in all normal esophageal mucosa, whereas aneuploidy was detected in twenty cases (52.6%) out of 38. The thirty-eight cases showed positive expression of CD34 antigen. The expression of MMP-9 was identified mainly in the cytoplasm in most of cancer cells in 27 cases (71%) out of 38. On the other hand, 28 (73.7%) out of 38 were positive for p53 expression. There was a statistical significance for CD34, MMP-9 and p53 expressions with tumor stage. Microvessel density in patients with highly positive staining for MMP-9 was higher than in those with negative and weak staining for MMP-9 (p= 0.002). CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the expression of CD34 and MMP-9 is associated with tumor progression and possibly seems to be valuable markers and could offer additional information about the aggressiveness and activity of esophageal carcinoma lesions.