Objective: To examine immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 and -26 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue and its relation with cervical metastasis.
Material and methods: Twenty-four cases were selected and divided into two groups: a metastatic group (n = 12) and a non-metastatic group (n = 12). Cases were graded as either negative (score 0), positive (score +) or strongly positive (score ++).
Results: MMP-7 expression was identical in both groups, with 17% of the cases graded as score 0, 50% as score + and 33% as score ++. MMP-26 expression was 25% score 0, 8% score + and 67% score ++ in the metastatic group, and 8% score 0, 50% score + and 42% score ++ in the non-metastatic group. Statistical analysis showed no differences between the studied groups and no correlations between proteins.
Conclusions: MMP-7 and -26 immunostaining is not a useful indicator of the metastatic potential of SCCs of the tongue. However, the role of these proteins in the process of invasion and metastasis cannot be ruled out since their more marked presence along the tumor invasion front compared to more central areas of the tumors indicates higher secretion of these proteases in this region, facilitating the invasion process.