Immunoexpression of ROCK-1 and MMP-9 as prognostic markers in breast cancer

Author(s)

Bottino, Jenifer ^[1] ; Gelaleti, Gabriela Bottaro ^{[1, 2]} ; Maschio, Larissa Bazela ^{[1, 2]} ; Jardim-Perassi, Bruna Victorasso ^{[1, 2]} ; Pires de Campos Zuccari, Debora Aparecida ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Fac Med Sao Jose Rio Preto FAMERP, Lab Canc Mol Invest LIMC, BR-15090000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista Julio Mesquita Filho UNESP, IBILCE, Program Postgrad Genet, BR-15090000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACTA HISTOCHEMICA; v. 116, n. 8, p. 1367-1373, 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 15

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women and it has high mortality mainly due to the occurrence of tumor metastasis. Both the processes of cell migration and anchorage to the substrate are essential for the development of metastasis. These processes occur by rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton, regulated by Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK-1). The degradation of the extracellular matrix, influenced by metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) also exerts greater cell invasiveness. The present study evaluated the ROCK-1 and MMP-9 proteins using an immunohistochemical method through the selection of invasive ductal breast carcinoma. The protein expression was correlated to clinicopathological parameters and overall survival of the patients. High expression of the ROCK-1 protein was correlated statistically to the status of lymph nodes (p = 0.007) and showed variable expression in different clinical stages of the tumor. MMP-9 showed a strong immunostaining in patients with metastasis that had died, whereas there was no marker in normal breast tissues. In addition, 46.6% of patients classified as poor prognosis showed high expression of ROCK-1 and MMP-9 protein and another 40.0% just showed high expression of MMP-9. Thus, the differential expression of ROCK-1 and MMP-9 proteins suggests their potential use as prognostic markers in breast cancer. (C) 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/13154-0 - Metastasis evaluation in vitro and in vivo mediated by ROCK and miR-17 in breast cancer, in response to the treatment with melatonin and curcumin
• Grantee: Debora Aparecida Pires de Campos Zuccari
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants