Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) are involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix, which is re lated to infiltrative growth and metastasis of tumor and are regulated by tisslle inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMPs) or cell adhesion molecllles such as E-cadherin and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between MMP-2, MMP-9 expressions and clinico-pathologic factors, 끼MP-1 ， TIMP-2, EGFR and E-cadherin expressions. lmmunohistochemical stains were perfom1ed on 55 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the ordl cavity and the results were as follows. MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions were noted in 30(54.5%) and 22(40.0%) of 55 cases, TIMP-1 and πMP-2 in 21(38.2%) and 33(60.0%), and E-cadherin and EGFR expressions in 35(63.6%) and 26(47.3%) of 55 cases, respectively. MMP-2 expression rdte was slightly higher 띠 cases without recurrence, and 끼MP- 2 expression rate was slightly higher in cases showing more inftltrative growth pattem. 까1e expression rate of EGFR was higher in cases with well differentiation(p=0.OO47), but no posi디ve relationship between the expression rate of Ecadherin and histologic grade was found. Cases with positive reaction for MMP-9 showed an increasing tendency of nega디ve reaction for TIMP-1. π1e expression rate of MMP-2 was higher in cases with positive reaction for E-cadherin and EGFR with no statistical significance. 까1e expression rate of MMP-9 was significantly higher in cases with positive reaction for E-cadherin(p=0.022l). These results suggest that MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expressions are involved in the development of oral squamous cell carcinomas, but MMP-2, MMP-9, 끼MP-1 ， and 끼MP-2 expressions might not seem to be a useful prognostic factors because there were no significant relationship between clinicopathologic parameters. EGFR expression showed positive correlation with low histologic grade, so EGFR expression could be regarded as a good prognostic factor. In the progression of sqllamous cell

• 최수임(인제대학교 동래백병원 병리과) | Soo lm Choi
• 조성재(부산백병원 구강외과) | Seong Jae Jo