Prognostic significance of matrix metalloproteinase 7 immunohistochemical expression in colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) was speculated to have a key role in the development and progression of human cancer. Considerable studies investigated the relationship between its expression and survival in colorectal cancer (CRC), but inconsistent results were obtained. The clinical significance of MMP-7 overexpression in CRC remains controversial. Therefore, in this article, we conducted a meta-analysis to analyze the prognostic value of MMP-7 in CRC. We searched studies in PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science databases until August 2014 to find relevant studies. A total of six high-quality studies met the inclusion criteria and 1631 patients were included in our study. Combined hazard ratios (HRs) suggested that MMP-7 overexpression had an unfavorable impact on overall survival (HR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.24-2.71). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses further validated the role of MMP-7 as a predictor for prognosis. In conclusion, MMP-7 overexpression detected by immunohistochemistry indicated worse prognosis in CRC and may help to guide clinical therapy.