Clinical Significance of the Expression of Osteopontin and MMP-9 in Breast Cancer

Objective To investigate the expression of osteopontin(OPN) and MMP-9 and its correlation with metastasis and recurrence in breast cancer.Methods The expression of OPN and MMP-9 was evaluated by immunohistochemical method in 80 breast carcinomas and 20 hyperpalstic breast lesions.Results The positive expression rate of OPN and MMP-9 were significantly higher in tissues from breast carcinoma than that in hyperplastic breast lesions(P0.05).The expression of OPN was significantly correlated with tumor size,axillary lymph node metastasis,recurrence of tumor and the express of C-erbB-2,but not correlated with the TNM stage,histological grade,status of menstruation,ER and PR.The expression of MMP-9 was significantly correlated with the TNM stage,histological grade,tumor size,axillary lymph node metastasis,the recurrence of tumor and the express of C-erbB-2,but not correlated with status of menstruation,ER and PR.There was a significantly positive relationship of OPN with MMP-9.Conclusion Both OPN and MMP-9 are significantly related to the invasion and the metastasis of the breast cancer.The expression of both OPN and MMP-9 might indicate a more malignant biological property and a poorer prognosis.