Expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in breast cancer and breast fibroadenoma: a randomized, double-blind study

Abstract

BackgroundMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 may play an important role in cell proliferation and dissemination of cancer. However, few studies have compared the expression of these proteins between breast cancer and fibroadenoma.Material and methodsA randomized, double-blind study was carried out in 66 premenopausal women, aged 20-49 years, who had been diagnosed with fibroadenoma or breast cancer. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A, control (fibroadenoma, n=36) and Group B, study (cancer, n=30). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using tissue samples of fibroadenoma and breast cancer to assess MMP-2 and MMP-9 antigen expression. Cells were considered positive if exhibiting brown cytoplasmic staining. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the percentage of cases with cells expressing MMP-2 and MMP-9 in control and study groups (p < 0.05).ResultsLight microscopy showed a higher concentration of cells with positive cytoplasmic staining for MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in breast cancer than in fibroadenoma. The percentage of cases with cells expressing MMP-2 in the control and study groups was 41.67% and 86.11%, respectively (p < 0.0009), whereas the percentage of cases with cells expressing MMP-9 in groups A and B was 66.67% and 93.33%, respectively (p<0.0138). MMP-2 and MMP-9 positive expression was significantly higher in moderately differentiated tumors compared to well and poorly differentiated tumors, p <0.005 and p<0.001, respectively.ConclusionsThe current study shows that MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression was significantly higher in the breast cancer than in the fibroadenoma and also in moderately differentiated breast cancer.

Metalloproteinases 1 and 3 as Potential Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Development

“…Few studies have evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in BC and fibroadenoma. Some authors have found significantly higher MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression in BC cells than in fibroadenoma [77]. Sampaio et al [78] showed significantly higher expression of metallotionein-1, a membrane-type 1 MMP, in BC than in fibroadenoma.…”

MMP9: A Tough Target for Targeted Therapy for Cancer

“…Thanks to the ability to liberate bioactive peptides and growth factors, and to degrade proteins on both the cell surface and extracellular proteins, they can have a decisive influence on the fate and behavior of cells, as well as on the organization of the stroma. Remarkable upregulation of gene expression and the activity of MMPs, especially MMP9, has been observed in various malignancies [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. As it was found that elevated MMP9 levels are positively correlated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients, MMP9 has been suggested as a potential marker candidate for such cancers as breast, colorectal, ovarian, and non-small cell lung cancer [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”

Lack of cross-resistance between non-steroidal and steroidal aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer patients: the potential role of the adipokine leptin

“…Finally, we studied the effects of neoadjuvant letrozole and exemestane on metalloproteinases (MMPs). Breast cancer cells may release metalloproteinases to degrade matrix macromolecules, allowing the invasion of tissue barriers, blood vessels and lymph channel walls [51][52][53][54]. In our study, we were able to study the effects of AI therapy on three pivotal metalloproteinases simultaneously: MMP1 (collagenase-1), MMP2 (gelatinase-A) and MMP3 (stromelysin-1).…”