Different expression patterns of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in breast cancer.
Among the many biological characteristics of cancer, the matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) is essential for tumor invasion and metastasis. The relationship between MMP-2 and MMP-9 according to tumor progression has not been studied yet. We evaluated the synchronous expression and activation rate of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in breast cancer tissues and compared them to the clinical parameters in order to determine the clinical significance of MMPs and the possibilities of using them as a therapeutic target. The activity of MMPs was evaluated in 121 breast cancer tissues using zymography and the area of activation was calculated by computer-assisted densitometry in comparison to the activity of a positive control (HT-1080). In 121 tumor tissues, 32 (26.4%) did not express any form of MMPs and 19 (15.7%) showed both expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. We observed that only one tissue expressed MMP-9 alone, while MMP-2 alone was expressed in 69 tissues. In 88 patients with MMP-2 and/or MMP-9 expression, we were unable to observe any correlation between the activity of MMPs expression or activation rate and the clinical parameters. But MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity increased according to T factor. Rapid production of MMP-9 occurred from T2 (p=0.046), while that of MMP-2 occurred from T3 (p=0.004). In conclusion, MMPs activity was organ specific. The major MMPs in breast cancer was MMP-2 and MMPs activity was different with tumor progression. When MMPs are a specific therapeutic target, we should use different inhibitors according to tumor size, in patients at the same stage.
Rha
S Y
SY
Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gyu, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
Yang
W I
WI
Kim
J H
JH
Roh
J K
JK
Min
J S
JS
Lee
K S
KS
Kim
B S
BS
Chung
H C
HC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017364:Collagenases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017364:Collagenases; D018093:Gelatinases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9