Matrix Metalloproteinase Gene Variations And Expression Levels In Breast Cancer Development

Abstract

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and represents approximately 30% of all cancers in women. This type of cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths and is characterized by proliferation and metastasis of transformed cells. Extracellular matrix plays an important role in the growth, progression, prognosis, invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Extracellular matrix degradation occurs by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in invasive and metastatic breast cancers. MMPs are important proteolytic enzymes and are effective in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. Various genetic variations have been identified in MMP genes and these genetic variations have been associated with changes in MMP enzyme activities, promoter activity, cell proliferation, and transcriptional regulation. Therefore, cell proliferation and tumor migration can be affected in breast cancer. Single nucleotide gene variations such as MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-12 have been associated with susceptibility to various cancer types such as breast cancer. The aim of this review is to provide general information about the pathogenesis of breast cancer as well as to examine the roles of MMP gene variations and expression levels in the development of breast cancer.