Expression and significance of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in breast cancer

Objective: To study the expression and clinicalsignificance of urokinase-type plasminogen activator(uPA) in breast cancer. Methods: Applyingstreptavidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemical technique, expression of uPA was studied in100 patients with primary breast canceL Results: Therewere 55 patients with high uPA expression, and 45 withlower expression. There was significant correlationbetween uPA expression and TNM stage, lymph nodestatus, and the tumor size. Neither age, menopausalstatus, nor ER status was significantly related with levelof uPA expression. The patients with high expression ofuPA had significantly shorter disease-free survival (DFS)and overall survival (OS) than did those with lowexpression of uPA. Univariate analysis showed that uPAas a prognostic factor was of similar magnitude tolymph node status and TNM stage, hut stronger thanthat of ER status and tumor size. UPA was anindependent prognostic factor affecting disease-freesurvival and overall survival. Collclusion: uPA appearsto be a strong and independent biologic marker forpredicting prognosis of breast cancer.