Expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and association with Epstein-Barr virus infection

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the association between MMP9 and Epstein-Barr virus infection. METHODS: The MMP9 expression was studied by immunohistochemical analysis; and Epstein-Barr virus encoded small nuclear mRNA-1 (EBER-1) produced by in situ hybridization were examined in 41 nasopharyngeal carcinoma sections, and the relation between them, and the associations of MMP9 with clinical features were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Positive expression rate of MMP9 was 73.17%. The expression of MMP9 showed significant positive correlation with the expression of EBER-1 (gamma=0.483, P=0.001). There was significant association of MMP9 expression with lymph nodes metastasis and clinical stage (P<0.001), non-significant association with age, gender, pathological classification and T classification. CONCLUSIONS: The highly pronounced expression of MMP9 is associated with cervical lymph nodes metastasis. Epstein-Barr virus can enhance NPC metastasis by up-regulating the expression of MMP9.