CD147, MMP9 expression and clinical significance of basal-like breast cancer

Our objective is to investigate the expression of CD147 and metallo-proteinase 9 (MMP9) in patients with basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) so as to determine whether these two genes may be correlated with prognosis of BLBC. We examined the expression of the CD147 and MMP9 in BLBC by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we analyzed the correlation between BLBC and several factors related to tumor progression, along with the prognostic value of BLBC. BLBC was significantly associated with CD147 and MMP9 expression (P = 0.000), and prone to lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. Patients with BLBC showed shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.005) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.011). In univariate analysis, CD147, MMP9, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage are independent prognostic factors affecting OS. In multivariate analysis, only clinical stage was identified as an independent prognostic factor. Patients with BLBC have a high expression of CD147 and MMP9; BLBC is correlated with a poor prognosis.