ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the three negative breast cancer (TNBC) and analyze their clinicopathologic significances. MethodsOne hundred and twelve patients confirmed TNBC from January 2008 to January 2013 in this hospital were collected. The cases of luminal type with the similar pathological type and pathological staging were chosen as control. The expressions of MMP-3 and VEGF were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results①The positive expression rates of MMP-3 and VEGF in the TNBC tissues were significantly higher than those in the luminal tissues[MMP-3:90.18%(101/112) versus 49.11%(55/112), P < 0.05;VEGF:84.82%(95/112) versus 48.21%(54/112), P < 0.05]. 2 The positive expressions of MMP-3 and VEGF in the TNBC tissues were correlated with age, menopausal status, tumor size, axillary lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage(P < 0.05).③The expression of MMP-3 was positively correlated with VEGF in the TNBC tissues(rs=0.711, P < 0.01).④The results of follow-up showed that the recurrence and metastasis rate within 3 years was 73.21%, the survival rate within 5 years was 36.61% in the patients with TNBC. ConclusionsThere is a close relation between MMP-3 and VEGF in TNBC, the expressions of MMP-3 and VEGF may serve as important biomarkers for evaluating invasion and metastasis in TNBC. There is a higher metastasis rate within 3 years and a lower survival rate within 5 years in TNBC. According to intervening the expressions of MMP-3 and VEGF, and inhibiting cancer cells matrix degradation and vascular formation, then cancer cells metastasis could be blocked, it may be important to reduce the 3-year recurrence rate and improve 5-year survival rate.