Objective: This study intends to verify the expression levels and correlation of aromatase, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and CD44 in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) when both are found in the same breast.
Methods: One hundred and ten cases were evaluated by tissue microarray (TMA) and immunohistochemically screened with anti-aromatase polyclonal antibodies, anti-MMP-2 monoclonal antibodies, anti-MMP-9 polyclonal antibodies and anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies.
Results: Aromatase was expressed in IDC and DCIS in 63 (57.3%) and 60 (67%) of the cases respectively; MMP-2 was similarly expressed in IDC and DCIS in 15 (13.60%) cases; MMP-9 was positively expressed in IDC and DCIS in 83 (75.50%) and 82 (74.50%) cases, respectively; CD44 was positively expressed in IDC and DCIS in 49 (44.50%) and 48 (42.60%) of the cases, respectively; all of them were highly correlated (p<0,001). The correlation analysis found positive, statistically significant correlation, in IDC between aromatase and MMP-2 (p<0.001) and between aromatase and MMP-9 (p=0.034). Positive correlation between aromatase and MMP-2 (p<0.001) and between MMP-9 and CD44 (p=0.030) were found in DCIS.
Conclusion: These results allow us to conclude that aromatase through local estrogen synthesis in breast tissue plays an important role in breast carcinogenesis, mainly influencing MMP-2 and MMP-9 which are important participants in tumor cell invasion and dependence of their connection to CD44 for action.