Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases(MMP) related to oncogene C-myc and tumor differentiation of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Methods Expression of MMP₂,MMP₉ and C-myc was detected by immunohistochemistry in 68 paraffin embedded specimens of CSCC. Results Distribution of MMP₂ and MMP₉ was demonstrated within cytoplasm of tumor and stromal cells, especially for those cells at the interface of tumor and interstitial tissues. No expression of MMP₂ and MMP₉ was observed in the horny centers of tumor cell nests. Expression of MMP₂ and MMP₉ increased along with the decreasing of the differentiation of tumor tissue and the increasing of C-myc expression. Conclusions Expression of MMP₂ and MMP₉ might be a common event for both tumor and stromal cells but parenchymal tumor cells might predominate over the activation of MMP₂ and MMP₉. Oncogene C-myc protein might promote the secretion of MMP₂ and MMP₉ by tumor cells.

Key words: Carcinoma,squamous cell, Metalloproteinases, Proto oncogene proteins C-myc