Expression of
matrix metalloproteinases (
MMPs) plays an essential role in
tumor metastasis and invasion through the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM).
MT1-MMP (
membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase), a membrane-type
MMP, is responsible for the activation of MMP2. In this study the significance of
MT1-MMP expression in human
breast tumors was investigated by immunocytochemical assay, and its correlation with clinicobiological features was analyzed.
MT1-MMP expression was detected in
tumor cells and/or stromal cells, and there was a strong correlation between the expressions of
MT1-MMP in the two cell types. Out of 183 primary
tumors, 103 (56.2%) showed positive staining of
MT1-MMP in
tumor cells.
MT1-MMP expression showed no significant correlation with any of the clinicobiological parameters examined, including
hormone receptor status and angiogenesis. In postoperative survival analysis,
MT1-MMP expression itself was not a significant prognostic factor. However, in the particular subgroup with the accumulation of
thymidine phosphorylase (TP)-positive stromal cells, which have been activated by various stimuli, such as
cytokines and
hypoxia,
MT1-MMP expression had a significant prognostic value. These data suggested that
MT1-MMP might function cooperatively with
tumor-associated stromal cells for the progression of
breast cancer.