Journal of Hebei Medical University ›› 2024, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (8): 980-986.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1007-3205.2024.08.020

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The relationship of MMP-9, E-cadherin in tissues with MELF pattern invasion and degree of tumor invasion in endometrial carcinoma

  

  1. 1.Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 
    075000, China; 2.Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of 
    Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China; 3.Department of Pathology, 
    Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China

  • Online:2024-08-25 Published:2024-09-04

Abstract: Objective To analyze the relationship of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and E-cadherin in endometrioid carcinoma tissues with the microencystic, elongated and fragmented (MELF) pattern invasion and degree of tumor invasion, and to explore the indicators that could identify the endometrial carcinoma with MELF invasion, so as to inhibit tumor invasion. 
Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 112 patients with endometrioid carcinoma who underwent surgical treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University. All patients successfully completed modified radical hysterectomy and met tumor criteria. Based on pathological examination results, 112 patients were divided into MELF group and non-MELF (N-MELF) group. The general clinical data of 112 patients were recorded. The blood examination items included tumor markers, and immunohistochemical examination items included MMP-9 and E-cadherin in tissues. According to the results of the examination, a Logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the relationship of MMP-9, E-cadherin and related indicators in the tissue with the MELF pattern invasion and degree of tumor invasion of endometrial carcinoma. 
Results Among the 112 patients with endometrioid carcinoma in this study, 21 patients (18.75%) were evaluated as MELF invasion. The proportion of patients with low pathological grade of MELF invasion, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage ⅣA, lymphatic vascular space invasion (LVSI), and positive MMP-9 in tissues was higher than that of N-MELF invasion patients, and the proportion of E-cadherin positive patients was lower than that of N-MELF invasion patients. The levels of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and human cartilage glycopmtein (YKL-40) were higher than those of N-MELF patients, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the expression rate of E-cadherin was low, that the expression rate of MMP-9 was high in tissues, and that MELF invasion was related to FIGO staging of endometrial carcinoma (P<0.05). 
Conclusion The MELF invasion of endometrioid carcinoma is related to MMP-9 and E-cadherin in the tissues. The high expression rate of MMP-9 and the low expression rate of E-cadherin can lead to the MELF invasion and hence enhance the tumor invasion ability. 


Key words: endometrial neoplasms, matrix metalloproteinase-9, E-cadherin