Objective  To evaluate the expression levels of CD151 and matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in colorectal cancer and their relationships with the occurrence, development, metastasis, and prognosis of colon cancer.

  Methods  The expression levels of CD 151 and MMP-7 proteins in cancer tissue microarray were determined by the immunohistochemical SP method. Their correlations with clinicopathologic features were analyzed.

  Results  The positive rates of CD151 and MMP-7 expression was 0.5% (1/20) and 15% (3/20) in normal tissue, as well as 78% (39/50) and 72% (36/50) in colon cancer tissues, respectively. The expression rates of the two types of protein were significantly different between the two groups (χ² = 31.086, P < 0.05; and χ² = 18.811, P < 0.05). The expression levels of the two proteins in colorectal cancer tissues were not associated with patient age, gender, or tumor location (P > 0.050), but were significantly related with the differentiation degree of cancer tissue, depth of invasion, organ metastasis, lymph node metastasis, and Duke's staging (P < 0.050). There was a positive correlation between CD151 and MMP-7 expression (r_s = 0.314, P = 0.026).

  Conclusion  CD 151 and MMP-7 are overexpressed in colon carcinoma, suggesting that these two proteins are related to carcinogenesis, development, invasion, and metastasis. The joint detection of these two makers can be used to determine the biological behavior and prognosis of colon cancer.