Circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and their complex MMP-9/NGAL in breast cancer disease.
BACKGROUND
Recent evidence suggests that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) expression is induced in many types of human cancer, while detection of its complex with matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is correlated with cancer disease status. We aim to evaluate the serum expression of MMP-9, NGAL and their complex (MMP-9/NGAL) during the diagnostic work-up of women with breast abnormalities and investigate their correlation with disease severity.


METHODS
The study included 113 women with non-palpable breast lesions undergoing vacuum-assisted breast biopsy for histological diagnosis, and 30 healthy women, which served as controls. Expression levels of MMP-9, NGAL and their complex MMP-9/NGAL were determined in peripheral blood samples with immunoenzymatic assays.


RESULTS
Women with invasive ductal carcinoma exhibited significantly increased levels of MMP-9, NGAL and MMP-9/NGAL compared to healthy controls (MMP-9: p < 0.003, NGAL: p < 0.008 MMP-9/NGAL: p < 0.01). Significant correlations were observed between MMP-9 and NGAL serum levels and breast disease severity score (r = 0.229, p < 0.006 and r = 0.206, p < 0.01, respectively), whereas a non-significant correlation was found for their complex. MMP-9, NGAL and their complex MMP-9/NGAL levels were not correlated with either Body Mass Index (BMI) or age of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the serum measurement of MMP-9 and NGAL may be useful in non-invasively monitoring breast cancer progression, while supporting their potential role as early biomarkers of breast disease status.
Provatopoulou
Xeni
X
Research Center, Hellenic Anticancer Institute, Athens, Greece. xprovatopoulou@yahoo.gr
Gounaris
Antonia
A
Kalogera
Eleni
E
Zagouri
Flora
F
Flessas
Ioannis
I
Goussetis
Evgenios
E
Nonni
Afroditi
A
Papassotiriou
Ioannis
I
Zografos
George
G
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011485:Protein Binding; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9