relationship between the expression of matrix metalloproteinase and clinicopathologic features in oral squamous cell carcinoma

introduction: squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is one of the most important and common types of head and neck malignancy, with an estimated rate of 4% among all human malignancies. the aim of this study was to determine the association between expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 and the clinicopathological features of oral squamous cell carcinoma (oscc).   materials and methods: one hundred existing samples of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded specimens of oscc were evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining for matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 antibodies. samples were divided into four groups: negative, <10%, 10–50%, and >50%. patient records were assessed for demographic characteristics such as age and gender, smoking and family history of oscc as well as tumor features including location, differentiation, stage and lymph node involvement.   results: in this study, 58 patients (58%) were male and 42 (42%) female. the mean age of patients was 60.38±14.07 years. the average number of lymph nodes involved was 8.9±3.8. tumoral grade, tumoral stage, lymphatic metastasis and history of smoking were significantly related to mmp2 and mmp9 expression.   conclusion:  our study demonstrated that mmp2 and mmp9 expression are important in the development of oscc.