PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF STROMELYSIN-3 EXPRESSION IN BREAST-CANCER BIOPSIES AND DISEASE-FREE SURVIVAL

Stromelysin-3 was estimated by Northern blot analysis in primary breas t carcinomas. The patients were followed for an average of 47 months a fter initial surgery and the dates of recurrent carcinoma and of death , if applicable, were recorded. Stromelysin-3 expression in the primar y tumour was found equally in patients with subsequent recurrent disea se and in patients who remained disease-free during the study period. There was no correlation between stromelysin-3 levels and disease-free survival.