Relationship between the expression of matrix metalloproteinase and clinicopathologic features in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction: squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is one of the most important and common types of head and neck malignancy,with an estimated rate of 4% among all human malignancies. the aim of this study was to determine the association between expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 and the clinicopathological features of oral squamous cell carcinoma (oscc). materials and methods: one hundred existing samples of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded specimens of oscc were evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining for matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 antibodies. samples were divided into four groups: negative,<10%,10-50%,and >50%. patient records were assessed for demographic characteristics such as age and gender,smoking and family history of oscc as well as tumor features including location,differentiation,stage and lymph node involvement. results: in this study,58 patients (58%) were male and 42 (42%) female. the mean age of patients was 60.38±14.07 years. the average number of lymph nodes involved was 8.9±3.8. tumoral grade,tumoral stage,lymphatic metastasis and history of smoking were significantly related to mmp2 and mmp9 expression. conclusion: our study demonstrated that mmp2 and mmp9 expression are important in the development of oscc.