Prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinase 2 protein expression in ovarian cancer is age- and stage-dependent

Objective: Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) has been associated with tumor development and invasion; however, the information available regarding its prognostic value in ovarian cancer (OC), especially in the Arabian Peninsula, is limited. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze MMP2 protein expression and assess its prognostic value. Methods: In total, 245 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) primary OC tissue samples were randomly collected from patients with available clinicopathological data, including disease of all stages and all histological subtypes. MMP2 protein expression was measured using automated tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry techniques. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Cytoplasmic MMP2 protein expression patterns were higher in 53% of all tumor samples. The MMP2 expression profile was not significantly correlated with most clinicopathological features including age, tumor site, size, grade, and lymph node status (p > 0.05). However, when adjusted according to the disease stage or patient age, MMP2 overexpression showed a significant indication of a poor outcome and recurrence as evaluated using univariate Kaplan–Meier analysis for disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03, respectively, log-rank test), but not for disease-specific survival (DSS) (p > 0.05, log-rank test). Conclusion: This study showed that MMP2 protein overexpression was a negative prognosticator in Saudi OC patients with advanced stage and/or young age. These results could pave the way towards more effective and personalized detection, prognosis, and management of OC.