Breast cancer is one of the most important leading causes of cancer
deathin the less developed countries.The identification of markers that
could assist in diagnosis, evaluation of therapeutic response, detection
of recurrence and metastasis is a useful tool. The present study is
undertaken to provide insights about the role of urokinase
plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), plasminogen activator
inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), extracellular matrix metalloproteinase protein
inducer (EMMPRIN), cancer antigen (CA) 15-3 in diagnosis and/or
prognosis of breast cancer, evaluate the possible correlations between
these biomarkers and the clinico-pathological status of breast cancer
and compare between validity of these biomarkers with tumor marker
(CA 15-3). A total of 75 women whose ages ranged between 30 to70
years and 10 healthy controls with matched age and sex were
included. The patients were divided into 4 groups, group I: Included
39 female patients with breast cancer before operation, group II:
Included 17 women from group I followed for 6 months after
operation, group III: Included 9 women from group I followed for 12
months after operation, group IV: Included 10 female patients with benign breast diseases. Estimation of serum uPAR, PAI-1, EMMPRIN
and CA 15-3 by ELISA and related clinico-pathological features were
assessed. The results revealed higher mean serum levels of uPAR,
PAI-1, EMMPRIN and CA 15-3 in breast cancer women before
operation when compared to other 4 groups. Patients after 6 and 12
months follow up showed a decrement of uPAR, EMMPRIN, PAI-1
and CA 15-3 levels.There was significant relationbetween uPAR,
PAI-1, EMMPRIN, CA 15-3 and clinicopathological characteristic of
breast cancer patients. There was a significant positive correlation
between serum uPAR, PAI-1 and EMMPRIN (p<0.001).In
conclusion, High circulating uPAR, PAI-1 andEMMPRINwere
significantly associated with breast carcinogenesis and metastasis.
Accordingly, estimation of these biomarkers may predict the breast
disease behavior and its prognosis.