Association of MMP-9 and MMP-14 with lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in breast cancer

Abstract

Objective To explore the association of the expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-14 in breast cancer with lymph node metastasis and lymphangiogenesis. Methods The expression levels of MMP-9 and MMP-14 were detected by hand-made tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry in benign breast diseases and breast cancer. The number of lymphatic vessels marked with D2-40 mark was counted. Results The expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-14 differed significantly between benign breast disease group and breast cancer group ( P＜ 0.01 ). There were significant difference in the expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-14 based on tumor size, stages of ductal carcinoma, and lymph node metastasis ( P＜ 0.01 ). The lymphatic vessel density ( LVD )was significantly higher in the paracancerous areas than in the central areasand the benign breast tissues ( P＜0.01 ). There were significant differences between the expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-14 and LVD in the paracancerous areas (P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions MMP-9 and MMP-14 are positively related with lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis. Key words: Breast cancer, Lymphatic vessel density; Lymphangiogenesis; Lymph node metastasis; Matrix metalloproteinases; Tissue chip