Abstract:Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase -11 (MMP-11) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in colon carcinoma and analyze the correlation between the two. Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of MMP-11 and VEGF in colorectal carcinoma tissues of 72 patients and 20 specimens of paracancerous normal colon tissues, and the correlations between the expressions and the clinical features of colon carcinoma were analyzed. Results There were significant differences in positive expression rates of MMP-11 and VEGF between the colon carcinoma tissues and the adjacent normal tissues (63.89% vs 20.00% for MMP-11, < 0.05; and 69.44% vs 10.00% for VEGF,P <0.05). The expressions of MMP-11 and VEGF in the colon carcinoma tissues were correlated with differentiation degree, TNM stage and lymphnode metastasis of the colon carcinoma (P < 0.05). The MMP-11 expression was positively correlated with VEGF expression in the colon carcinoma tissues (P < 0.05). Conclusions The expressions of MMP-11 and VEGF are closely associated with the development of colon carcinoma. Combined detection of MMP-11 and VEGF expressions in colon carcinoma can predict the metastasis and prognosis of the patients,and provide the basis for clinical targeted therapy.