Objective: To test the expression of NF-kappaB/p65, MMP-3 and MMP-9 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and analyze their relationship and the clinical significance.
Method: All samples were examined for the expression of NF-kappaB/p65, MMP-3 and MMP-9 by streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry. Chi2-test and Spearman-test were used to exam the correlation within them and the expression difference between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and normal nasopharyngeal mucosa.
Result: Positive expression rate of NF-kappaB/p65 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma was 78.0%; positive expressions rate of MMP-3 and MMP-9 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma were 75.6%. There was positive relationship between NF-kappaB/p65, MMP-3, MMP-9 and N stage. The expression of NF-kappaB/p65 showed a significant positive correlation with the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-9. MMP-3 also had a significant positive correlation with MMP-9.
Conclusion: The result suggests that NF-kappaB/p65, MMP-3 and MMP-9 are highly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Their expression is correlated with lymph nodes metastasis, but do not have relationship with sex, age, pathological classification and clinical stage. Each of them has positive correlation with the others.