ABSTRACT
Cathepsin D is an acidic lysosomal protease expressed in all cells. Some studies have shown correlations between high levels of tissue cathepsin D and poor prognosis. This paper deals with 158 cases of breast cancer in which tissue concentrations in cathepsin D, age, estrogen and progesterone receptor content, and pathological characteristics of the tumor were investigated. Tumors were considered to be cathepsin D+ when a concentration > 40 pmol/mg protein (median value in our samples) was determined. The expression of cathepsin D appears to be related to grading (p = 0.04) and lymph node status (p = 0.05). We found no significant associations among cathepsin D levels, patient age, steroid receptors and histological type. Moreover, the levels of cathepsin D have been evaluated in 9 samples of recurring or metastatic neoplasia and 11 cases of benign breast lesions. We conclude that cathepsin D may be a useful prognostic predictor in breast cancer. Further investigations are required to improve and extend the applications of this assay.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Breast Neoplasms/enzymology , Cathepsin D/analysis , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Lymphatic Metastasis , Middle Aged , PrognosisABSTRACT
Knowledge of the tumor content of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors has proved to be of significant value in human breast cancer. Relative determinations were performed in 589 specimens in our laboratory. The positivity of ER and PgR is correlated with the patients' age at diagnosis, tumor size and relative grade. In particular, the significance of PgR versus ER status and the possible prognostic role of these receptors are investigated.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/analysis , Receptors, Estrogen/analysis , Receptors, Progesterone/analysis , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , PrognosisABSTRACT
The potential synergism of sequential combinations of tamoxifen (TMX) or estradiol benzoate (E2B) with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in inhibiting the growth of 7.12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene(DMBA) - induced rat mammary tumors has been investigated. In addition, the effect of TMX and E2B on estrogen and progesterone receptors' (ERs and PgRs) synthesis has been evaluated in the attempt to elucidate possible mechanisms involved. Previous treatment both with TMX and E2B has been shown to strongly enhance the antitumor activity of MPA. A priming on PgR synthesis has been observed only after E2B administration, TMX producing a sharp decrease in PgR levels. It is concluded that, while the priming action exerted by E2B on PgRs might explain the potentiating effect shown by E2B on MPA activity, the synergism observed between TMX and MPA should be explained on an extrareceptorial basis, an induction on PgR synthesis by TMX not being evident at the dosage and priming time employed in this study.
