Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-10 at Invasive Front of Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Verrucous Carcinoma in the Oral Cavity

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc metalloproteinases capable of degradingcomponents of connective tissues. MMP-10 is frequently expressed in human cancers. The aim of this studywas to immunohistochemically evaluate its expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and verrucouscarcinoma (OVC). Materials and
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 73 samples (31 OSCC, 22 OVC and 20non-neoplastic epithelium) was performed. All samples were immunohistochemically stained with monoclonalMMP-10 antibody and expression levels and staining intensity were evaluated with respect to microscopicfeatures. Data were analyzed by SPSS (V.21), Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests.
Results: MMP-10 wasdetected in all OSCC and OVC cases. The expression of MMP-10 in OSCC was intensive (score 3) and in OVCwas low and moderate (score 1 and score 2) more frequently. Non- neoplastic epithelium did not show MMP-10expression. Differences between groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, the expression of MMP-10 was not obviously different between various grades of OSCC.
Conclusions: According to our study, MMP-10protein can be important possible factor in the transformation of normal oral epithelium to OVC and OSCC,also the level of MMP-10 expression at invasion front of the lesions can be helpful in the differentiation of OVCand OSCC.