Prognostic Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Meningioma: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: Meningioma is the most common intracranial tumor in adults. In addition to the extent of tumor surgical resection and WHO grade, angiogenesis is a prognostic factor that is influenced by MMP-2. Our study examined the association of these prognostic factors with MMP-2 expression in meningioma. Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with meningioma between January 2008 and December 2017 was conducted. All samples were re-reviewed and subjected to immunohistochemical staining for Ki67, MMP-2, and CD34. Pearson’s chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test were used to examine the association of MMP-2 expression with the WHO grade and microvascular density (MVD). Results: The study included 99 patients aged 23–75. Most patients were female (73.7%). This study included 85 cases of low-grade meningioma (grade I) and 14 cases of high-grade meningioma (grade II, 11; grade III, 3). The most common subtypes were meningothelial, transitional, and fibroblastic. In total, 62 of 85 patients with low-grade meningioma and 10 of 14 patients with high-grade meningioma exhibited high MMP-2 expression, and the difference in the rates between the groups was not significant. Most patients in this study displayed MVD scores of 1+ (54/99) and 2+ (33/99). Of the 54 patients with an MVD score of 1+, 42 exhibited high MMP-2 expression. MMP-2 was expressed by all patients with meningioma. Conclusion: In the future, more samples are required, in high-grade tumors, to prevent bias, and more specific immunohistochemical markers should be used to evaluate angiogenesis.