Significant correlation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression with neovascularization and progression of breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND. Macrophages often infiltrate into solid tumor tissues. Tumor-as sociated macrophages (TAMs) are known to play a crucial role in tumor progr ession. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is one of the major chem okines capable of inducing chemotactic migration of monocytes. METHODS. With the objective of investigating the clinical significance of M CP-1, the authors analyzed the expression of MCP-1 and of some other molecu les by immunohistochemistry in 230 samples of primary breast carcinoma tiss ue. MCP-1 staining was performed using an anti-MCP-1 monoclonal antibody, a nd it was Department of Surgery, Breast Oncology Unit, assessed by grading the percentage of stained cells. RESULTS. It was found that 117 breast tumor specimens (51%) had intensive s taining in tumor cells. The expression of MCP-1 in tumor cells had a signif icant correlation with the expression of thymidine phosphorylase and membra ne type 1-matrix. metalloproteinase. In addition, MCP-1 expression tended t o be associated with the accumulation of TAMs, which were counted by CD68 s taining, and with microvessel density. MCP-1 expression in TAMs was correla ted significantly with the histologic vessel invasion of tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS. The results of this study suggest that MCP-1 may play key role s in macrophage recruitment, in the expression of angiogenic factors, and i n the activation of matrix metalloproteinases in patients with breast carci noma. (C) 2001 American Cancer Society.