[Relationship between lymph node metastasis and the expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinase in breast carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: There is little ideal predictor available on evaluating the lymph node metastatic potential of breast carcinoma. This study was designed to determine the expression of gene products of E-cadherin (epithelial), N-cadherin (nerve), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in breast carcinoma tissue and investigate their association with the invasion and metastasis of breast carcinoma. METHODS: The authors examined the expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and MMP-9 in 72 cases of breast carcinoma(39 cases with lymph node metastasis and 33 cases without lymph node metastasis) by immunohistochemistry. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the patients' prognosis. RESULTS: The average ranks of E-cadherin in lymph node metastasis group and no lymph node metastasis group were 29.19 and 45.14, respectively, with significant difference (P < 0.001). The expression of E-cadherin was correlated inversely with the metastasis of breast carcinoma. The average ranks of N-cadherin and MMP-9 were 40.04 and 42.97 in lymph node metastasis group, and 32.32 and 28.85 in no lymph node metastasis group, both with significant difference (P < 0.05), and these expressions were positively correlated with the lymph node metastasis of breast carcinoma. The patients who had high expression of E-cadherin had a longer survival time. CONCLUSION: Expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and MMP-9 are associated strongly with lymph node metastasis of breast carcinoma. These proteins are indicators of metastasis potential and prognosis of breast carcinoma.