Abstract: Objective To explore the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas and the correlation between the expression of MMP-9,VEGF and the invasion/recurrence of tumor.Methods Expressions of MMP-9 and VEGF were tested by immunohistochemistry(IHC) in 40 cases of adamantimous craniopharyngioma,including 24 cases of primary group and 16 cases of secondary group.Results The total expression rates of MMP-9 in secondary group were significantly higher than that of primary group(93.7% vs 41.7%,P<0.05),and the total expression rates of VEGF in secondary group were significantly higher than the primary group(87.5% vs 45.8%,P<0.05).There were mutually positive correlations between MMP-9 and VEGF expressions in secondary group of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma.Conclusion MMP-9 and VEGF may play an important role in the invasive growth and recurrence of adamantimous craniopharyngioma,and positive-feedback regulate each other.MMP-9 and VEGF may become potential biomarkers to evaluate the inclination of invasion and recurrence in adamantimous craniopharyngioma.

Key words: adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma, matrix metalloproteinase-9, vascular endothelial growth factor, invasion, recurrence