Comparison of the invasiveness profiles of en plaque and globoid meningiomas

It remains unclear why certain meningiomas grow in an en plaque fashion while others form the more common globoid variety. It may be thai relative differences in proteolytic enzyme or receptor patterns between these two groups result in a variable invasive potential. Proteases which have been implicated in this process include the matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, plasminogen activator and its inhibitor and the cathepsins. Pathological specimens from 9 patients with en plaque meningiomas and 10 patients with globoid meningiomas were subjected to immunochemical analysis for the following enzymes and receptors known to be involved in the process of invasion: uPA. uPAR, MMP-2, MMP-9, Cathepsin B, D. The results of these invasiveness studies as well as their clinical implications will be discussed.