Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

Aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression with histopathologic and clinical characteristics of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and to assess the role of MMP-9 expression in patient survival. Study included 196 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treated at ENT Department, Split University Hospital Centre, from January 1, 2000 till December 31, 2009. The level of MMP-9 expression showed a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.001) with the disease histopathologic grade, stage, metastatic potential, recurrence potential, and survival. Kaplan-Meier curve yielded a statistically significant survival difference (p < 0.001) among the three patient groups with different levels of MMP-9 expression. The survival curve clearly showed the MMP-9 expression as a predictor of survival to be significantly (p < 0.001) associated with survival. In this study, MMP-9 expression as a biological marker showed a potential predictive value in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.