02 BOOK OF ABSTRACTS .indd

Matrix metalloproteinase expression analyses
of human primary breast cancer tissue
Decock J. 1 , Hendrickx W. 1,2 , Wildiers H. 1,2 , Christiaens M. R. 2 , Neven P. 2 ,
Drijkoningen M. 2,3 , Paridaens R. 1,2
1
Laboratory for Experimental Oncology (LEO), Department of Clinical Oncology,
University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; 2 Multi-disciplinary
Breast Center (MBC), University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven,
Belgium; 3 Pathology Department, University Hospital Sint Rafaël, Minderbroedersstraat 12,
3000 Leuven, Belgium
Background: Matrix metalloproteinases play a key role in many aspects of tumor
invasion and metastasis. Previous studies have determined the expression of
individual MMPs, in particular the gelatinases MMP2 and MMP9. The current study
aimed to define a profile of various MMPs in primary breast tumor tissue, to study
the correlation of their expression with clinical prognostic markers as to better
understand the role of MMPs in breast cancer.
Methods: We performed a quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis of a panel of MMPs
(MMP2, MMP8, MMP9, MMP10, MMP11 and MMP13) in the primary tumor tissue
of 30 breast cancer patients. To define their diagnostic and/or prognostic value,
we evaluated these data against the most important classical clinicopathological
parameters including tumor size and grade, steroid hormone receptor status, lymph
node status and menopausal status,. Survival analyses were performed to study
whether any of the individual MMP expressions were correlated with disease-free
survival.
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Results: In the overall population, MMP2 RNA expression was inversely correlated
with the PR expression in the primary tumor. Moreover, postmenopausal patients
with a PR positive tumor tended to have lower MMP2 RNA levels. An inverse
correlation was found between MMP2 RNA expression and lymph node involvement
in the whole patient group as well as in the subgroup of postmenopausal patients.
A borderline significant correlation was found between MMP10 RNA expression and
estrogen receptor status. None of the MMP RNA expressions were associated with
disease-free survival. We found an indication of co-regulation of MMP2 and MMP10,
and MMP8 and MMP9, respectively.
Conclusions: In summary, out of the 6 MMPs investigated MMP2 might be the
most important in breast cancer. Interestingly, an inverse association was found
between MMP2 RNA expression and PR expression or lymph node involvement in
postmenopausal patients. Further, the present data suggest that MMP2 and MMP10,
MMP8 and MMP9 respectively might be co-regulated.
This work is supported by the Vlaamse Liga tegen Kanker and the European Union
Framework 6 LSHC-CT-2003-503297.