MMP14 and DDR2 are potential molecular markers for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and rapidly invasive breast cancer types. TNBC’s potential to metastasize is greater than other types of breast cancer, and current research aims at finding distinct molecular targets that may serve as potential targeted the...

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Main Authors: Rabeah Al-Temaimi, Rasheed Ahmad, Fahd Al-Mulla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05538-4
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author Rabeah Al-Temaimi
Rasheed Ahmad
Fahd Al-Mulla
author_facet Rabeah Al-Temaimi
Rasheed Ahmad
Fahd Al-Mulla
author_sort Rabeah Al-Temaimi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and rapidly invasive breast cancer types. TNBC’s potential to metastasize is greater than other types of breast cancer, and current research aims at finding distinct molecular targets that may serve as potential targeted therapeutics. Here, we utilized TNBC tissue microarrays to determine the protein expression of seven matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) in metastatic and non-metastatic TNBC to identify potential targets for immunotherapy. We found MMP1 expression inversely correlated with tumor grade, whereas MMP2, 3, 12, and 13 expression directly correlated with tumor grade (p < 0.05). Metastatic TNBC correlated with the expression of DDR2 (r = 0.231, p = 0.043), MMP11 (r = 0.272, p = 0.017), and MMP14 (r = 0.426, p < 0.001). Multi-marker models were tested for their potential to predict metastatic TNBC from non-metastatic TNBC. An all-marker model had a significant classification potential (odd ratio (OR) 23.44 (95%CI: 6.06–73.1), p < 0.0001), whereas a 3-marker model that included DDR2, MMP2, and MMP14 had similar significant classification (OR 19.4 (5.1–60.4), p < 0.0001). Moreover, model performance metrics were comparable for the two models. Therefore, we propose MMP14 and DDR2 as potential molecular markers for the detection of metastatic TNBC. In addition, further research on the efficacy of targeted dual immunotherapies against MMP14 and DDR2 in TNBC is warranted.
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spelling doaj-art-c16556ee1b7b44c1bfdc063d87d177082025-08-20T03:03:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-05538-4MMP14 and DDR2 are potential molecular markers for metastatic triple-negative breast cancerRabeah Al-Temaimi0Rasheed Ahmad1Fahd Al-Mulla2Human Genetics Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Kuwait UniversityDepartment of Translational Research, Dasman Diabetes InstituteDepartment of Translational Research, Dasman Diabetes InstituteAbstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and rapidly invasive breast cancer types. TNBC’s potential to metastasize is greater than other types of breast cancer, and current research aims at finding distinct molecular targets that may serve as potential targeted therapeutics. Here, we utilized TNBC tissue microarrays to determine the protein expression of seven matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) in metastatic and non-metastatic TNBC to identify potential targets for immunotherapy. We found MMP1 expression inversely correlated with tumor grade, whereas MMP2, 3, 12, and 13 expression directly correlated with tumor grade (p < 0.05). Metastatic TNBC correlated with the expression of DDR2 (r = 0.231, p = 0.043), MMP11 (r = 0.272, p = 0.017), and MMP14 (r = 0.426, p < 0.001). Multi-marker models were tested for their potential to predict metastatic TNBC from non-metastatic TNBC. An all-marker model had a significant classification potential (odd ratio (OR) 23.44 (95%CI: 6.06–73.1), p < 0.0001), whereas a 3-marker model that included DDR2, MMP2, and MMP14 had similar significant classification (OR 19.4 (5.1–60.4), p < 0.0001). Moreover, model performance metrics were comparable for the two models. Therefore, we propose MMP14 and DDR2 as potential molecular markers for the detection of metastatic TNBC. In addition, further research on the efficacy of targeted dual immunotherapies against MMP14 and DDR2 in TNBC is warranted.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05538-4Triple-negative breast cancerMetastaticMatrix metalloproteinaseDiscoidin domain receptor 2
spellingShingle Rabeah Al-Temaimi
Rasheed Ahmad
Fahd Al-Mulla
MMP14 and DDR2 are potential molecular markers for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
Scientific Reports
Triple-negative breast cancer
Metastatic
Matrix metalloproteinase
Discoidin domain receptor 2
title MMP14 and DDR2 are potential molecular markers for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
title_full MMP14 and DDR2 are potential molecular markers for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
title_fullStr MMP14 and DDR2 are potential molecular markers for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
title_full_unstemmed MMP14 and DDR2 are potential molecular markers for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
title_short MMP14 and DDR2 are potential molecular markers for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
title_sort mmp14 and ddr2 are potential molecular markers for metastatic triple negative breast cancer
topic Triple-negative breast cancer
Metastatic
Matrix metalloproteinase
Discoidin domain receptor 2
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05538-4
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