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.
Sacks
N P
NP
ICRF Molecular Oncology Laboratories, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital.
Smith
K
K
Norman
A P
AP
Greenall
M
M
LeJeune
S
S
Harris
A L
AL
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