The mRNA expression of MMP-9, MMP-14 and uPA was significantly lower in the DCIS-shCD44 cells than in the DCIS-shLuc control cells at 48 h (Fig. 4E); MMP-2 (Fig. 4E) and other invasion markers (data not shown) did not show significant changes. This evidence concerns the gene MMP2 and ductal breast carcinoma in situ.