Ivana Manola1, Ana Mataic2, Daniela Ledic Drvar3,4, Ivan Pezelj5, Tihana Regovic Dzombeta3,6, Bozo Kruslin7,6. 1. Manola Polyclinic, Zagreb, Croatia. 2. Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. 3. School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. 4. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. 5. Department of Urology, University Hospital Centre "Sestre milosrdnice", Zagreb, Croatia. 6. Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology "Ljudevit Jurak", University Hospital Centre "Sestre milosrdnice", Zagreb, Croatia. 7. School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia bozo.kruslin@mef.hr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Peritumoral clefting is one of the main histologic features of basal cell carcinoma of the skin (BCC). The aim of the study was to analyze the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 both in cells of basal cell carcinoma and in the adjacent stroma and to correlate the findings of immunohistochemical analysis with the presence of peritumoral clefting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was made on archival material comprising 48 cases of BCC. These were scanned for the presence of peritumoral clefts. The results of immunohistochemical staining for MMP-2 and MMP-9 were determined semiquantitatively using immunohistochemical staining index (ISI). RESULTS: Peritumoral retractions were found in 40 BCC cases. Positive immunohistochemical reaction for MMP-2 in tumor cells was found in 47 cases and in all cases in the adjacent stroma. Positive immunostaining for MMP-9 in BCC tumor cells was observed in 37 cases and in all cases in the adjacent stroma. There was no statistically significant association between peritumoral retractions and expression of MMPs. A statistically significant correlation was found in the expression of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 between the tumor and the stroma. CONCLUSION: Tumor cells elaborate MMP-2 and -9, but they also produce some other factors that may induce production of MMPs in adjacent stromal cells. The role of MMPs in the development of peritumoral clefts could not be confirmed. Copyright
BACKGROUND/AIM: Peritumoral clefting is one of the main histologic features of basal cell carcinoma of the skin (BCC). The aim of the study was to analyze the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 both in cells of basal cell carcinoma and in the adjacent stroma and to correlate the findings of immunohistochemical analysis with the presence of peritumoral clefting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was made on archival material comprising 48 cases of BCC. These were scanned for the presence of peritumoral clefts. The results of immunohistochemical staining for MMP-2 and MMP-9 were determined semiquantitatively using immunohistochemical staining index (ISI). RESULTS: Peritumoral retractions were found in 40 BCC cases. Positive immunohistochemical reaction for MMP-2 in tumor cells was found in 47 cases and in all cases in the adjacent stroma. Positive immunostaining for MMP-9 in BCC tumor cells was observed in 37 cases and in all cases in the adjacent stroma. There was no statistically significant association between peritumoral retractions and expression of MMPs. A statistically significant correlation was found in the expression of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 between the tumor and the stroma. CONCLUSION:Tumor cells elaborate MMP-2 and -9, but they also produce some other factors that may induce production of MMPs in adjacent stromal cells. The role of MMPs in the development of peritumoral clefts could not be confirmed. Copyright