Strategy for the Possible Microscopic Liver Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer

For the Future Gene Therapy for Colorectal Caneer

Abstract

Messenger RNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, 7, 9 was examined in surgical specimens of colorectal cancers. OnIy MMP-7, matrilysin, mRNA was limitedly expressed in cancer, but not in surrounding tissue. Its expression was associated with progression of colorectal tumors with the maximum in liver metastatic tumors. Antisense oligonucleotides for matrilysin suppressed matrilysin mRNA expression in a matrilysin-producing rectal cancer cell line, CaR-1, resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation and the invasiveness of this cell line dose dependently. We conclude that matrilysin is a promising candidate as a new clinical diagnostic and prognostic marker of colorectal cancers as well as antisense oligonucleotide therapy.