The Expression and Clinical Significance of Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Bladder

Objective: Our aim was to study expression of MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP1 in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder ( TCCB ). Methods: Fifty one specimens of TCCB and 10 normal specimens as control were assessed by immunohistochemical method ( SP method ). Results: The positive expressions of MMP2, MMP9 and TIMP1 in TCCB were 51% , 25.5%, and 9.8% respectively. The expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 in G 2 to G 3 and T 2 to T 4 stages were significantly higher than those in G 1 and T 1 stages (P0.05 ). The expression of TIMP1 in G 2 to G 3 and T 2 to T 4 stages were significantly lower than those in G 1 and T 1 stages (P0.05 ). The expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 tended to increase, with the tumor grade and stage and the expression of TIMP1 tended to decrease. The expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 in those cases who died were significantly higher than those survived (P0.05 ), while the expression of TIMP1 did not change significantly. Conclusion: The expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 are useful in the prognosis of TCCB.