ИСТИНА

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between MMP9 expression and scleral invasion of uveal melanoma (UM). We also examined the effect of growth factors (TGFb and EGF), oncosuppressor protein (p16) on the histological types and mitotic activity of tumour. Material and Methods: Tumour specimens were obtained from 42 primary UM immediately after enucleation. Results: Hyperexpression of MMP9 and EGFR were correlated with a high proportion of spindle cells in UM (Kruskal-Wallis test p<0,05 for each). Moreover, we have demonstrated the association between the level of EGFR, TGFb and MMP9 expression to the initial stage of tumour invasion (Spearman’s test p<0,05). Moreover, there was a correlation between TGFb hyper-expression and mitotic activity (Spearman’s test p=0,059). Furthermore, a low level of p16 expression in UM was proportional hyperexpression of TGFb. Conclusion: EGFR and MMP9 are known to be used as targets for anti-cancer therapy. The results of our study are suggesting to develop newer approaches of UM treatment on the early stages of invasion in order to keep an affected eye as an organ. Thereupon, it was concluded about the key-role of abnormalities in TGFb-pathway that cause the down-regulation of p16-gene, where the latter may lead to increased mitotic rate.