Immunoenzymatic assay of Mr 52,000 cathepsin D in 182 breast cancer cytosols: low correlation with other prognostic parameters.
The Mr 52,000 cathepsin-D-like protease induced by estrogens in MCF7 human breast cells was assayed in 182 primary breast cancer cytosols prepared for receptor assays from pre- and post-menopausal patients. Using two solid-phase sandwich immunoenzymatic assays, we quantified the total Mr 52,000 cathepsin D (52K-cath-D) (the Mr 52,000 precursor protein and its Mr 48,000 and 34,000 processed forms) and the Mr 52,000 precursor alone. The value of total 52K-cath-D varied between 3 and 165 pmol/mg protein and the proportion of the precursor varied from 0 to 28% of total 52K-cath-D. There was no correlation between the concentrations of 52K-cath-D and estrogen receptor, but the estrogen receptor status (greater than or less than 10 fmol/mg protein) was correlated to the 52K-cath-D status (greater than or less than 15 pmol/mg protein) according to the chi 2 test (P less than 0.001). The correlation with progesterone receptor concentrations and status was low (r = 0.43) and absent, respectively. There was no correlation with Scarff and Bloom stages, tumor size, or patient's age. The percentage of patients with invaded lymph nodes was significantly higher (80%) in the subgroup with the highest total 52K-cath-D levels (greater than or equal to 42 pmol/mg protein), representing only 12% of the population but not in the total population. On the basis of this prospective study, before clinical follow-up can be evaluated, we conclude that in the total population examined, the 52K-cath-D concentration was only correlated with estrogen receptor status, but not with any other prognostic parameter.
Maudelonde
T
T
INSERM U 148, Unité d'Endocrinologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Montpelier, France.
Khalaf
S
S
Garcia
M
M
Freiss
G
G
Duporte
J
J
Benatia
M
M
Rogier
H
H
Paolucci
F
F
Simony
J
J
Pujol
H
H
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000032:analysis*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D002402:Cathepsin D