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

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. 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. 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. Our results suggest that serum MMP-9 level is a better marker than serum MMP-2 in predicting the breast cancer development and progression.