Background and objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate the role of growth factors and matrix metalloproteinases in the brain metastasis.
Methods: Tumors from 40 patients with brain metastasis (30 lung cancer, 10 breast cancer) were studied to investigate the expression-patterns of EGFR, MT1-MMP, MMP7, and CD44 using the immunostaining and RT -PCR analysis.
Results: EGFR immunostaining was detected in 92% (23/25) and 70% (7/10) of brain metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma and breast cancer, respectively. MT1-MMP immunostaining was also detected in 80% (20/25) and 50% (5/10) of brain metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma and breast cancer, respectively. EGFR mRNA was detected in 83.3% (25/30) and 70% (7/10) of brain metastasis from lung cancer and breast cancer, respectively. MT1-MMP mRNA was detected in 73.3% (22/30) specimens of brain metastasis from lung cancer, and only 13.3% (4/30) specimens of these patients expressed MMP7 mRNA.
Conclusions: The high expression of EGFR and MT1-MMP indicates that a extracellular matrix remodeling may be playing an important role in brain metastasis.
(c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.