CORRELATION BETWEEN BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR IMMUNOSTAINING OF STROMAL CELLS AND STROMELYSIN-3 MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN HUMAN BREAST-CARCINOMA

We examined the localization of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in a series of human breast carcinomas using immunohistochemistry. Sta ining was observed in tumour cells in 15 out of 54 (28%) tumours and i n the adjacent stroma in 34 out of 54 (63%) tumours examined. No corre lation was observed between positive staining of these two compartment s. The relationship between bFGF staining and expression of the metall oprotease stromelysin-3, and between bFGF and microvessel density, was examined. A statistically significant correlation (P < 0.003) was obs erved between bFGF staining of the stromal compartment and high expres sion of stromelysin-3 (ST-3; MMP-11) metalloprotease mRNA by stromal c ells. In contrast, no correlation was observed between bFGF and intrat umour microvessel density (IMD). These results raise the possibility t hat bFGF may be involved in the induction of stromelysin-3 mRNA expres sion in breast cancer stroma.