Related Experiment Videos

The influence of MMP-14, TIMP-2 and MMP-2 expression on breast cancer prognosis

Bernard Têtu1, Jacques Brisson, Chang Shu Wang

  • 1Department of Pathology, Laval University, Québec, Canada. bernard.tetu@chuq.qc.ca

Breast Cancer Research : BCR
|June 17, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

High expression of membrane type 1 Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14 in breast cancer predicts poorer survival. This MMP-14 marker is a significant indicator of overall survival, especially when adjusted for clinical factors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 degrades extracellular matrix and is regulated by membrane type 1 MMP (MMP-14) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases (TIMP)-2.
  • The balance and expression of MMP-2, MMP-14, and TIMP-2 may influence breast cancer prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prognostic significance of MMP-2, MMP-14, and TIMP-2 expression and their interplay in breast cancer patients.
  • To determine if these markers can predict overall survival in early-stage breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated MMP-2, MMP-14, and TIMP-2 mRNA expression using 35S mRNA in situ hybridization.
  • Analyzed data from 539 breast cancer patients without distant metastasis at diagnosis.
  • Utilized Cox regression models adjusted for clinical factors and ancillary markers.

Main Results:

  • MMP-14 mRNA expression in stromal cells was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (p = 0.031) when adjusted for tumor size and lymph node status.
  • Prognostic significance of MMP-14 was lost upon further adjustment for Her-2/neu and urokinase-type plasminogen activator.
  • Combinations of MMP-2, MMP-14, and TIMP-2 levels showed trends but did not reach statistical significance in predicting survival differences.

Conclusions:

  • MMP-14 expression is the most significant factor among the studied complex associated with breast cancer outcomes.
  • MMP-14 serves as an independent predictor of poor overall survival when adjusted for clinical prognostic factors.
  • The prognostic value of MMP-14 may be influenced by other ancillary markers in breast cancer.

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...