OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of MMP20 in endometrial carcinoma and its clinical significance.

METHODSBioinformatics analysis was used to explore the correlation of MMP20 expression with the prognosis of the patients with endometrial carcinoma. We collected 21 pairs of fresh endometrial carcinoma and adjacent endometrial tissues to detect the expression of MMP20 mRNA using real-time PCR. We also examined MMP20 protein expressions in 134 paraffin-embedded endometrial carcinoma tissues and 34 paraffin-embedded endometrial tissues using immunohistochemistry. The correlation of MMP20 expression with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of the patients were analyzed.

RESULTSBased on TCGA database analysis, the patients with endometrial carcinoma showing an increased MMP20 mRNA expression had a significantly poorer prognosis than those with a low MMP20 mRNA expression (=0.00065). Real-time PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry confirmed the up-regulated expressions of MMP20 at both the mRNA (=0.0062) and protein (=0.005) levels in endometrial carcinoma tissues compared to the adjacent endometrial tissues. An elevated MMP20 protein expression was positively associated with FIGO stage of endometrial carcinoma (=0.014) and inversely correlated with the survival time of the patients (=0.019). The Cox regression model analysis showed that an increased MMP20 expression was an independent predictor of a poor prognosis of the patients with endometrial carcinoma (=0.067).

CONCLUSIONSHigh expression of MMP20 is a potential prognostic factor for poor outcomes of patients with endometrial carcinoma.