Affiliations: [a] Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China | [b] Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Tumor Hospital, Nantong 226361, Jiangsu, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding authors: Chunhong Xiao, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Tumor Hospital, No. 30, Tong Yang North Road, Nantong 226361, Jiangsu, China. Tel.: +86 0513 86712105; Fax: +86 0513 86712105; E-mail: jingmeit@21cn.com. Haizhong Yu, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, No. 41, Construction Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China. Tel.: +86 0513 85126057; Fax: +86 0513 85126057; E-mail: gaisongshun@163.com.
Abstract: Breast cancer is one common female specific malignant tumor and has gradually increased incidence. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMMP-9) and its inhibitor TIMP-1 participate in tumor invasion and metastasis. This study analyzed the effect of various treatment approaches on TIMP-1 and MMP-9 levels in terminal stage breast cancer. Post-op breast cancer patients including chemo-radio therapy group, radio-chemo therapy group and simultaneously chemo- and radio-therapy group were compared for efficacy, along with assays for TIMP-1 and MMP-9 levels for analyzing their correlation with clinical-pathological features of breast cancer. Chemo + radio-therapy group had lower focal recurrence and distal metastasis than the other two groups, plus higher 5-year survival rates (p<0.05). After treatment, all patients showed lower serum MMP-9 level, activity and higher TIMP-1 levels than those before treatment (p< 0.05). Concurrent radio + chemo-therapy group showed lower serum MMP-9 level, activity and higher TIMP-1 levels (p< 0.05 compared to the other two groups). Serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels after treatment are correlated with patient age, pathological grade, tumor size and lymph node metastasis (p< 0.05). Simultaneous chemo- and radio-therapy on breast cancer patients after surgery could reduce focal recurrent rate or distal metastasis rate, thus improving 5-year survival rate. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels are correlated with age, pathological grade, tumor size and lymph node metastasis of breast cancer patients.
Keywords: Breast cancer, treatment efficacy, TIMP-1, MMP-9
