Low microvascular density at the tumor center is related to the expression of metalloproteases and their inhibitors and with the occurrence of distant metastasis in breast carcinomas.

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were to evaluate the microvascular density (MVD) at the center of breast carcinomas, its relationship with the expression of metalloproteases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs), and its connection with the distant metastasis rate.

METHODS

An immunohistochemical study of four MMPs and two TIMPs was performed on cancer specimens from 97 women with a histological confirmed diagnosis of early invasive breast cancer.

RESULTS

Expressions of MMP-9 by cancerous cells, or MMP-11 and TIMP-2 by stromal cells, were all negative and significantly associated with MVD, whereas MMP-7 score values were positive and also significantly associated with MVD. However, positive expression of MMP-1 by mononuclear inflammatory cells was significantly associated with MVD. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant and inverse relationship between MVD and the occurrence of distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data point out the clinical importance of low MVD at the tumor center as an independent prognostic factor of distant metastasis development in breast cancer.