Cathepsin D levels in primary breast cancers: relationship with epidermal growth factor receptor, oestrogen receptor and axillary nodal status.
Cathepsin D and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) have both been proposed as poor prognostic markers in breast cancer. We have compared the tumour cytosolic cathepsin D level with EGFr and oestrogen receptor (ER) levels and the axillary node status of 131 patients with operable breast cancer, to see if EGFr and cathepsin D are co-regulated. Cathepsin D level was measured using a two-site immunoradiometric assay kit. No correlation was found between the level of cathepsin D and EGFr, ER or nodal status. Since the raised level of cytosolic cathepsin D was not related to EGFr, it may be that measuring the level of both of these markers in the same sample will give additional prognostic information.
ICRF Molecular Oncology Laboratories, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital.
N P
NP
Sacks
K
K
Smith
A P
AP
Norman
M
M
Greenall
S
S
LeJeune
A L
AL
Harris
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000032:analysis*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D002402:Cathepsin D