Role and behavior of cathepsin B and cathepsin L in gastric cancer
Herszényi, L.; Plebani, M.; Carraro, P.; De Paoli, M.; Roveroni, G.; Rugge, M.; Cardin, R.; Naccarato, R.; Farinati, F.
Orvosi Hetilap 136(25): 1315-1318
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-6002 PMID: 7596589 Document Number: 440867
Cathepsin B and cathepsin L--cysteine proteinases--may play an important role in cancer invasion and metastasis. The authors determined tissue antigen concentrations of cathepsins, using the ELISA method, in 25 patients with gastric cancer (17 males, 8 females, mean age 62, range 31-84). They evaluated the possible relationship that these proteinases may have with the presence of metastases, differentiation and histotype. Significantly higher cathepsin B and cathepsin L antigen levels were found: 1. in gastric cancer tissues vs. normal tissues distant from tumors (CATB: p < 0.05, CATL: p < 0.005); 2. in diffuse vs. intestinal type cancers (p < 0.05); 3. in patients with poorly vs. well-differentiated cancers (p < 0.05); in gastric cancers with vs. without metastasis (p < 0.05). Their results confirm that cathepsin B and L play an important role in gastric cancer invasion and metastasis. Considering the significantly higher cathepsins detected in cancers with metastasis, a poor differentiation and of diffuse histotype, these proteinases could be useful for identification gastric cancer patients with a poor prognosis.