ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins expressions in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast to its clinicopathologic features and prognosis. MethodsThe expressions of EMT related proteins (Vimentin, E-cadherin, and MMP2) in the 118 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast and 30 cases of corresponding normal breast tissues adjacent to cancer were detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationship of EMT related proteins expressions to age, tumor site, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, histological grade, TNM stage or prognosis of the patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of breast was analyzed. Results①The positive rates of the Vimentin protein and MMP2 protein in the invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were significantly higher than those in the corresponding normal breast tissues adjacent to cancer﹝Vimentin protein: 50.8% (60/118) versus 10.0% (3/30), P < 0.05; MMP2 protein: 63.6% (75/118) versus 6.7% (2/30), P < 0.05﹞, the positive rate of E-cadherin in the invasive ductal carcinoma of breast was significantly lower than that in the corresponding normal breast tissues adjacent to cancer ﹝56.8% (67/118) versus 93.3% (28/30), P < 0.05﹞.②The positive rate of the Vimentin protein expression in the invasive ductal carcinoma tissue was positively related with the lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (rs=0.346, P < 0.05; rs=0.231, P < 0.05). The positive rate of the E-cadherin or MMP2 protein expression was negatively or positively related with the tumor size, lymph node metastasis, histological grade, and TNM stage (E-cadherin: rs=-0.444, P < 0.05; rs=-0.493, P < 0.05; rs=-0.323, P < 0.05; rs=-0.474, P < 0.05. MMP2: rs=0.361, P < 0.05; rs=0.434, P < 0.05; rs=0.396, P < 0.05; rs=0.376, P < 0.05).③The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the positive expressions of Vimentin and MMP2 were stronger, the tumor free survival time was shorter (P < 0.05), and the positive expression of E-cadherin was stronger, the tumor free survival time was longer (P < 0.05). ConclusionJoint detection of EMT related proteins (Vimentin, E-cadherin, MMP2) of invasive ductal carcinoma tissue of breast could predict the pathological grade and clinical stage, as well as effective prognosis of patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of breast in clinical.