Metastasis-related factors expressed in pT1 pN0 breast cancer: assessment of recurrence risk.
OBJECTIVE
Previous reports have indicated that small breast cancers without lymph node metastasis present a favorable prognosis. However, 10-20% of patients with T1 N0 invasive ductal carcinoma experience recurrence and have a poor prognosis. The objective of this study was to examine whether certain metastasis-related factors are prognostic of cancer recurrence in such patients at risk for relapse.


METHODS
Nineteen patients with the carcinoma who had recurrence 1-15 years after margin-free resection were examined. The control group consisted of 20 patients with pT1 pN0 invasive ductal carcinoma who had no recurrence for > or =10 years after radical surgery. The two groups were compared with respect to clinical profiles, conventional neoplastic features, and immunohistochemical expressions of 16 metastasis-related factors.


RESULTS
No significant difference was found between the two groups in clinical profiles and conventional neoplastic features. However, six factors (MMP-2, MT1-MMP, T1MP-2, VEGF, cMET, and PCNA) were significantly expressed in the recurrence group against the control group. MMP-9 was significantly less expressed in the recurrence group. Of these factors, MMP-2, MT1-MMP, and VEGF showed the highest adjusted odds ratios.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP family and growth factors may be promising predictors of recurrence risk of early stage breast cancer.
Ogura
Shigeto
S
Department of General Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
Ohdaira
Takeshi
T
Hozumi
Yasuo
Y
Omoto
Yawara
Y
Nagai
Hideo
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000737:chemistry / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2