Human macrophage metalloelastase gene expression in colorectal carcinoma and its clinicopathologic significance

Abstract

Human macrophage metalloelastase (HME), also referred as matrix metalloproteinase 12, has been shown to convert plasminogen into angiostatin, an essential inhibitor of tumor angiogenesis. The current study was designed to investigate the association of HME mRNA expression with disease progression of in patients with colorectal carcinoma.