Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-8 in human breast cancer and its clinical significance

Objective To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in human breast cancers and its relationship with the clinicopathological parameters,evaluate the relevance of MMP-8 levels to metastases in breast cancer.Methods Human specimens were obtained from 50 patients with invasive ductal carcinomas,and 20 normal breast glands were enrolled.Intact clinical parameters were aviliable for all patients.The protein expression of MMP-8 was determined by immunohistocbemistry technology SP.Results The rate of MMP-8 positive breast cancer was significantly higher than that in normal breast glands [68 ％ (34/50) vs 15 ％ (3/20),P ＜ 0.05].The expression of MMP-8 showed a negative correlation with breast cancer staging.The expression of MMP-8 in stage Ⅰ was higher than that in stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ/Ⅳ[94 ％ (15/16),57 ％ (13/23),55 ％ (6/11),P ＜ 0.05].Lymph node negative patients had a higher MMP-8 expression than patients with lymph node metastases [84 ％ (21/25) vs 50 ％ (13/25),P ＜ 0.05].Conclusion MMP-8 expression is associated with human breast cancer metastases and might be involved in inhibiting metastases. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Matrix metalloproteinase-8