Reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with kazal motifs and matrix metalloproteinase-9 are prognostic markers in skull base chordomas.

Prognosis of chordomas is difficult to predict based solely on histological findings. The purpose of this study was to assess expressions of reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with kazal motifs (RECK) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 in skull base chordomas and to find out their correlations to outcome. Immunohistochemical study was performed in 19 samples (initial, n = 11; recurrent, n = 8) from 11 patients. The correlations among expression of RECK, MMP-2, MMP-9, and their prognostic values were analyzed. Significant correlation between RECK and MMP-9 was found, but there was no correlation found between MMP-2 and MMP-9. Higher MMP-9 expression significantly influenced outcome. Furthermore, MMP-9/RECK ratio showed significant correlation to outcome, showing their inverse relationship in the disease progress of skull base chordoma. RECK and MMP-9 can be valuable markers to predict prognosis in skull base chordomas.