Matrix metalloproteinase 11 (stromelysin-3) has recently been reported to play a key role in human tumor progression and poor clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of matrix metalloproteinase 11 expression in gastric cancer. Using real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunohistochemistry, we studied matrix metalloproteinase 11 expression levels in non-malignant gastric tissues and in gastric cancer tissues. The association between matrix metalloproteinase 11 expression levels and tumor stage and grade, as well as metastatic potential, was analyzed. Our results show that matrix metalloproteinase 11 expression was significantly higher in gastric cancer specimens compared with nonmalignant tissues at both transcriptional and protein levels, indicating its positive role in the development of gastric cancer. In addition, increased matrix metalloproteinase 11 expression levels were associated with advanced-stage and high-grade tumors, suggesting its involvement in the progression of gastric cancer. More importantly, increased matrix metalloproteinase 11 expression in gastric cancer specimens was correlated with increased expression of IGF-1, a molecule known to stimulate the proliferation, enhanced survival, and migration of cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that matrix metalloproteinase 11 is a novel factor in the development and progression of gastric cancer and suggest that matrix metalloproteinase 11 is a marker for advanced gastric cancer.
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