BACKGROUNDTo investigate the expression and its clinical significance of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), so as to provide reference in diagnosis, treatment and determining prognosis of NSCLC.

METHODSMMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was detected in 32 lung cancer tissues, 32 paracancerous lung tissues and 10 benign pulmonary lesion tissues by immunohistochemical method with anti-MMP-2 and anti-MMP-9 antibody.

RESULTS(1)Expression of MMP-2 (90%, 36/40) and MMP-9 (83%, 33/40) in cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues (22% and 13%) and benign pulmonary disease tissues (0) (P < 0.01). (2)Expression level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was significantly related to lymph node metastasis and TNM staging, and histologic classification and differentiation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in NSCLC tissue is remarkably higher than that in paracancerous tissues and benign pulmonary tissues. Detaction of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in lung cancer tissue might be helpful to determine metastasis, staging of the cancer, and predict the prognosis of patients with NSCLC.