Aim: To investigate the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and collagen type IV and their relationship in colorectal carcinomas.
Methods: The expressions of collagen type IV, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was in normal and colorectal cancer tissues of 30 patients whose clinical stages were Dukes'B and C was detected with immunohistochennical staining. And the relationship among collagen type IV, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was analysed.
Results: The expression of collagen type IV was significantly decreased in colorectal cancer tissues. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was not detected in normal colorectal tissues but it was significantly increased in colorectal cancer tissues. There was a negative correlation between the expression of collagen type IV and MMP-9.
Conclusion: The expression of collagen type IV in colorectal cancer tissues is lower than that in normal tissues. MMP-9 may play an important role in the degradation of collagen type IV in colorectal cancer.