ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the prognostic significance of MMP-2 , MMP-9 and Cathepsin-D expression in lymph node-negative human breast carcinoma. Methods Specimens from the primary breast tumors of 270 axillary lymph node negative breast cancer patients were studied for MMP-2 , MMP-9 and Cathepsin-D protein expression by immunohistochemical staining. Results The positive expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and Cathepsin-D was 56.7%(153/270),59.6%(161/270) and 55.6%(150/270), respectively. In univariate analysis, MMP-2, MMP-9 and the co-expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly associated with tumor free survival. In multivariate analysis, co-expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was unfavorablely related with tumor free survival(RR=2.487; P
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To study the expression of MMP-2 in lymph node-negative breast carcinoma and its relation to other factors and its clinical value. Methods: Paraffin-embedded specimens from 270 patients with lymph node-negative breast carcinoma were studied. MMP-2 were investigated by immunohistochemical staining. Results: Positive staining for MMP-2 were observed in some breast carcinoma cells. Positive staining of MMP-2 was significantly related to higher tumor grade and larger tumor size but not ER, PR and other factors. It was also significantly associated with patients relapse free survival but not overall survival. Conclusions: MMP-2 is an unfavorable prognostic factor in lymph node-negative breast carcinoma patients and it is an important prognostic factor.