Role of serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 to predict breast cancer progression

Objective: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-2 and MMP-9, have been reported as putative tumor markers because of their involvement in cancer invasion and metastasis. The aim of our study was to elucidate the possible role of MMP-2 and -9 as serum prognostic biomarker for breast cancer classification and correlate it with the clinicopathological variables. Design and Methods: Our study consisted of 60 females with primary breast cancer, 40 cases of benign breast disease and 60 healthy female volunteers as controls. The serum MMP-2 and -9 levels were quantitatively measured by ELISA technique. Results: A significantly raised MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were observed in breast cancer patients. Significant rise in serum MMP-9 concentration was found in patients presenting with metastasis as well as in those cases who presented with a duration of less than 1 year. ROC analyses depicted a serum cutoff value of 315 ng/mL for MMP-9 to discriminate the breast cancer patients from the control group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that serum MMP-9 level is a better marker than serum MMP-2 in predicting the breast cancer development and progression. (C) 2011 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.