The relationship between MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels with breast cancer incidence and prognosis

Abstract

The relationship between the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 and breast cancer prognosis was studied. Two breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and one human normal breast cell line (HS578Bst) were investigated. Fluorescence real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were used to detect cellular mRNA and protein MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels. Breast cancer tissue samples from 80 patients and tumor-adjacent normal tissue samples from 40 patients were collected, and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in these samples were examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationship of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels with breast cancer patient clinicopathological parameters and prognosis was analyzed. RT-PCR and western blot results showed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells than in HS578Bst cells. A high expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was found in 83.75% (67/80) and 78.75% (63/80) of breast cancer tissue samples, respectively. MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in breast cancer tissues were significantly different from that in tumor-adjacent normal tissues (p<0.01). MMP‑2 and MMP‑9 expression levels in breast cancer tissues were correlated with lymph node metastasis and tumor staging. Single factor survival analysis showed that MMP‑2 and MMP‑9 were factors influencing breast cancer prognosis. MMP‑2 and MMP‑9 are highly expressed in breast cancer tissues and are closely related to lymph node metastasis and tumor staging. MMP‑2 and