Expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in breast cancer and its clinical significance

Objective To investigate the expression and prognostic significance of matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in the breast cancer. Methods Thirty-four cases of breast cancer and twelve cases of breast benign disease were studied by S-P immunohistochemical staining with anti MMP-2,MMP-9 monoclonal antibodies. Results The expression rate of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were 55 9%(19/34) and 58 8%(20/34) in the breast cancers, significantly higher than those in breast benign disease( P 0 01). Overexpression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the breast cansers with axillary lymph node metastases was significantly higher than that without lymph node metastases( P 0 01). Conclusion The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 closely correlated to lymph node metastasis,and act as prognostic markers for patients with breast cancer.