The association of co-expression of CD44v4/MMP-9 with different nodal status in high-grade breast carcinoma patients.
BACKGROUND
Breast carcinoma is one of the most common tumors in female patients, and its metastasis is a major cause of death. An experimental model has recently found the association of CD44 with MMP-9 that facilitates tumor cell invasion and metastasis.


METHODS
The CD44v4 and MMP-9 were performed on tissue in paraffin blocks of 50 cases of high-grade breast carcinoma with node positive and 50 cases with node negative.


RESULTS
Increased expression of MMP-9(60%) significantly observed in high-grade breast carcinoma patients with node positive (p = 0. 004), whereas CD44v4 displays no significant difference between the two groups (p-value = 0.81). Significant co-expression of CD44v4+ / MMP-9+ (46%) was observed and correlated with node-positive patients whereas the CD44v4+ / MMP-9- (54%) express in node-negative patient (p-value = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The solely expression of CD44v4 does not associate with node status. MMP-9 plays an important role to enhance breast carcinoma cell invasion and associates with lymph node metastasis. The combined expression of CD44v4 (overexpression) and derangement of MMP-9 expression was significantly associated with nodal status.
Thanakit
Voranuch
V
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. voranewt@yahoo.com
Sampatanukul
Pichet
P
Ruangvejvorachai
Preecha
P
Keelawat
Somboon
S
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*
D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9