Abstract
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs) are a class of matrix basement membrane degrading enzymes which were shown to be associated with metastases in several human tumors.
OBJECTIVE:
This study is aimed to investigate the potential effect of MMP-9 in imparting the frequently reported different behavioral pattern between jaws and long bones osteosarcomas.
METHODS:
Tissue blocks of ten cases of jaws osteosarcomas and another ten of long bones osteosarcomas were collected and stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies to MMP-9.
RESULTS:
The majority of cases (70%) were positive for MMP-9 expression which indicates a role in tumor spread, however; there was no significant difference between the sites.
CONCLUSION:
The study indicates that MMP-9 is probably not involved in the biologic differences between jaws and long bones osteosarcomas
Keywords
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