Expression of MiR-335 and its target metalloproteinase genes: clinical significance in breast cancer

Abstract

Background

Early diagnosis of breast cancer decreases mortality rate; therefore, novel diagnostic methods are urgently required. In this study, authors aimed to investigate the role of serum-derived miR-335 in breast cancer, and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and evaluating their feasibility and clinical utility as biomarkers for the early detection of breast cancer.

Materials and methods

Blood samples were collected from a total of 210 individuals who were enrolled in this study. The participants were divided into newly diagnosed breast cancer patients (n = 115), patients with benign breast lesions (n =55) and healthy individuals as control group (n =40). The expression profile of miR-335, MMP2 and MMP9 were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Results

MiR 335 expression level was down-regulated in primary breast cancer group as compared to benign breast group and healthy individuals with 98% and 94.9% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. MMP2 and MMP9 showed significantly higher expression levels in breast cancer group as compared to both benign and healthy group and reporting 92.7% and 93% sensitivity, respectively. The relations between investigated markers and pathologic types, staging, grading, and lymph node involvement were significant with these factors. Expression level of miR-335 was decreased with increased MMP2 and MMP9 at significant level.

Conclusion

MiR-335, MMP2, and MMP9 can be used as diagnostic markers in breast cancer.

Keywords:

• Breast cancer
• miR-335
• MMP2
• MMP9
• diagnosis
• clinicopathological characteristics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported through a grant from Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) through Basic and Applied Research Support Grant project (BARG) [No.15089], Egypt. The instruments listed in the current study were purchased through a grant from STDF through Capacity Building Grant Project (CBG) [No.4940]

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