Abstract: Objective  To detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 11(MMP11) in colorectal adenocarcinoma, explore its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor C(VEGFC) and microlymphatic vessel density(MLVD) marked by D240.Methods  Fifty eight patients with radical resection of colorectal adenocarcinoma were collected.Neoplasm tissues were collected as observation group. Normal mucosa were collected as control group. Expressions of MMP11 and D240 in two groups were detected by immunohistochemistry method. And the expression of VEGFC was detected by Western blot method.Results   There were statistically significant differences in positive rate of MMP11 and MLVD value  between two groups. In the observation group, MMP11 and MLVD were correlated with vascular cancer thrombus, lymph node metastasis and invasive degree.The expression of MMP11  related to prognosis. Positive correlation were found between  MMP11 and MLVD,  MMP11 and VEGFC. Conclusion  The increase of MMP11 expression and MLVD  plays  an important role in the occurrence and progression of colorectal adenocarcinoma. MMP11 and VEGFC, MMP11 and MLVD had obvious positive synergistic effects. MMP11 may play a role in the tumorbiological behaviorsby promoting lymphangiogenesis.

Key words: colonic neoplasms, adenocarcinoma, lymph metastasis, matrix metalloproteinase11, vascular endothelial growth factor C