Introduction: Metalloproteinases (MMPs) promote cell migration and tumour invasion by degradation of the extracellular matrix. Activators and inhibitors (such as membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase or MT1-MMP and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase 2 or TIMP-2) regulate metalloproteinase activity. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic value of stromal immunolabelling with MMP-2, MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 in clinically localized prostate cancer.
Material and methods: The immunohistochemical study was performed on 30 radical prostatectomy specimens. The results were compared to preoperative PSA, Gleason score, pT stage and biochemical recurrence with a minimum follow-up of 5 years.
Results: Stromal immunolabelling with MMP-2 is correlated with stage pT3 (p=0.0022, OR=17.5). No correlation was observed with the other histoprognostic parameters. No statistical link was established with MT1-MMP and TIMP-2.
Conclusion: Stromal immunolabelling with MMP-2 is a histoprognostic marker of capsular effraction in prostatic adenocarcinoma. When performed on prostatic biopsies, it can predict the pT3 stage, allowing adaptation of the initial treatment in some patients.