Semi-quantitative expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in cancer of uterine cervix

Background and Objective Because matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is associated with tumor progression and tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2) selectively inhibits MMP-2, we investigate the implication of TIMP-2 in carcinogenesis of uterine cervix. Methods Twenty-six cervical cancer tissues and their normal counterparts were collected to evaluate semi-quantitative mRNA expression of TIMP-2. Eighty-two cervical cancer, 26 high-grade and 26 low-grade dysplasia, and 26 normal tissues were collected to construct tissue microarrays for immunohistochemical study. We evaluated TIMP-2 immunoreactivity using H scores in cervical carcinogenesis. Semi-quantitative expression of MMP-2 was also detected for comparison. Results Cervical cancer tissues exhibited statistically lower semi-quantitative TIMP-2 (P = 0.028) or higher MMP-2 (P = 0.036) mRNA expression than their normal counterparts. None of cervical cancer tissues exerted elevated TIMP-2 and reduced MMP-2 mRNA expression simultaneously. Cancer tissues have significantly lower TIMP-2 or higher MMP-2 H scores than high-grade and low-grade dysplasia or normal tissues of uterine cervix. Conclusions Low expression of TIMP-2 or high expression of MMP-2 is semi-quantitatively demonstrated in cancer of uterine cervix. TIMP-2 is implicated in cervical carcinogenesis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;104:210-215.