乳腺癌淋巴道转移潜能与癌细胞中钙粘素及金属蛋白酶的关系

背景及目的:目前尚缺少有效评价乳腺癌淋巴道转移潜能的理想指标。本研究旨在通过检测上皮性钙粘素(E-cadherin,E-Cad)、神经性钙粘素(N-cadherin,N-Cad)和基质金属蛋白酶-9(matrixmetalloproteinase-9,MMP-9)基因产物在乳腺癌组织中表达的情况来探讨它们与乳腺癌浸润和转移的关系。方法:采用免疫组织化学SP方法检测E-Cad、N-Cad和MMP-9在72例乳腺浸润癌(其中淋巴结转移39例,无淋巴结转移33例)中的表达,并用多因素Cox比例风险模型分析患者的预后。结果:E-Cad表达在淋巴结转移组和无淋巴结转移组乳腺癌肿瘤细胞中的平均秩次分别为29.19,45.14,两组差异显著(P<0.001),E-Cad表达与乳腺癌转移呈负相关;N-Cad和MMP-9在淋巴结转移组乳腺癌细胞中的平均秩次分别为40.04和42.97;在无淋巴结转移组乳腺癌肿瘤细胞中的平均秩次分别为32.32和28.85。二者在淋巴结转移组与无淋巴结转移组的表达均具有显著性差异(P<0.05),与乳腺癌淋巴结转移呈正相关。E-Cad高表达者生存时间长。结论:乳腺癌的淋巴道转移与E-Cad、N-Cad和MMP-9的表达具有显著相关性,检测这几种蛋白表达将有助于判断乳腺癌的转移潜能及预后。

Relationship between lymph node metastasis and the expressions of E-cadherin,N-cadherin,and matrix metalloproteinase in breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: There is little ideal predictor available on evaluating the lymph node metastatic potential of breast carcinoma. This study was designed to determine the expression of gene products of E-cadherin (epithelial), N-cadherin (nerve), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in breast carcinoma tissue and investigate their association with the invasion and metastasis of breast carcinoma. METHODS: The authors examined the expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and MMP-9 in 72 cases of breast carcinoma(39 cases with lymph node metastasis and 33 cases without lymph node metastasis) by immunohistochemistry. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the patients' prognosis. RESULTS: The average ranks of E-cadherin in lymph node metastasis group and no lymph node metastasis group were 29.19 and 45.14, respectively, with significant difference (P < 0.001). The expression of E-cadherin was correlated inversely with the metastasis of breast carcinoma. The average ranks of N-cadherin and MMP-9 were 40.04 and 42.97 in lymph node metastasis group, and 32.32 and 28.85 in no lymph node metastasis group, both with significant difference (P < 0.05), and these expressions were positively correlated with the lymph node metastasis of breast carcinoma. The patients who had high expression of E-cadherin had a longer survival time. CONCLUSION: Expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and MMP-9 are associated strongly with lymph node metastasis of breast carcinoma. These proteins are indicators of metastasis potential and prognosis of breast carcinoma.