The effect of Candida albicans systemic infection on matrix metalloproteinases in breast cancer bearing BALB/c mice

Breast cancer patients are susceptible to infections such as candidiasis. Due to the importance and the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in breast cancer progression and its correlation with tumor metastasis, we analyzed the serum level of MMPs -2, -3, -9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in breast cancer bearing mice in the presence of systemic Candida albicans infection. Female BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups: group I had tumor + candidiasis; group II, tumor only; group III, candidiasis only and group IV as negative control. Tumor tissue was separated from stock breast cancer bearing mice and transplanted subcutaneously into the groups I and II mice. Two weeks after tumor transplantation, groups I and III were infected with Candida albicans by intravenous injection. One week after systemic infection, the sera of the experimental groups were prepared and analyzed with ELISA for MMP-2, -3, -9 and TIMP-1 levels. The results showed that the levels of MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were increased in groups I, II and III, as compared to the control group. However, the level of MMP-2 was decreased in mice infected with Candida albicans and in infected mice bearing tumor. These data suggest that candidiasis may have a positive effect on tumor progression and metastasis.