Laminin-5 (Ln-5) cleaved by membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) enhances the migration of tumor cells. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not enhanced expression of both Ln-5 and MT1-MMP was associated with lymph node metastasis in patients with T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue and floor of the mouth.
Predictive value of laminin-5 and membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase expression for cervical lymph node metastasis in T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue and floor of the mouth.
Department of Oncological Science, Division of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Oita 879-5593, Japan. kekawano@med.oita-u.ac.jp