Expression and biological significance of matrix metalloprofeinase inhibitor RECK gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To explore the expression of reversion inducing cysteine rich protein with kazal motifs (RECK) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its correlations with the occurrence and development of ESCC. METHODS: A total of 62 ESCC specimens, resect- ed in Anyang Tumor Hospital of Henan Provincefrom Februrary 26 to March 16, 2006, were col- lected. All the cases didn't receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. SP immuno- histochemical method and in situ hubridyzation were used to detect the expression of RECK pro- tein and mRNA in the 62 carcinoma specimens, 31 cancer-adjacent specimens (within 3 cm) and 62 normal esophageal epithelial specimens. RESULTS: The protein and mRNA expression of RECK were closely related with the tumor grades, infi latration and lymphatic metastasis in ESCC. The expression rates of RECK protein were increased ordinally in carcinoma speci- mens, cancer-adjacent epithelium and normal esophageal epithelial specimens, and there was a significant difference in group com- parison (RECK protein: χ2 = 10.331, P < 0.01; RECK mRNA: χ2 = 19.186, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between the protein and mRNA expression of RECK (r = 0.416, P < 0.01) in ESCC. CONCLUSION: Lower expression of RECK has a correlation with the pathogenesis of and de- velopment of ESCC, and RECK may be a new assistant index for early diagnosis and prognosis of ESCC.