AIM: To investigate expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer(EMMPRIN)in retinoblastoma(Rb)and the relationships between MMP-2, EMMPRIN and tumor development.

METHODS:Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect expressions of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN in 39 cases of paraffin embedded Rb samples. Quantitative analysis of expressions of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN were assessed by measuring the mean gray scale of Rb tissue with LEICA IM50 Color Pathologic Analysis System. The differences of expressions of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN in each clinical and pathological stage were statistically analyzed, and the same step was also undertaken to study the relationship between Rb with MMP-2 positive expression and that with EMMPRIN positive expression.

RESULTS: The positive expression rate of MMP-2 was 90%(Gray value: 109.64±14.52; 35/39), and that of EMMPRIN was 85%(Gray value: 108.01±13.60; 33/39). The expressions of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN were significantly higher in tumors of glaucomatous stage(Gray value: 108.21±11.47 and 107.56±14.32)than those in intraocular stage(Gray value: 121.13±11.32 and 119.34±12.66; P<0.01 and P<0.05). And the same conclusion can be concluded between those in extraocular stage(Gray value: 91.03±11.71 and 92.26±12.93)with those in glaucomatous stage(P<0.01 and P<0.05). The expressions of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN were significantly higher in tumors with optic nerve invasion(Gray value: 103.89±13.39 and 105.23±14.00)than those without optic nerve invasion(Gray value: 118.39±15.11 and 117.53±16.13)(P<0.01 and P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The positive expression levels of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN may correlate with tumor infiltration and metastasis.