title: Immunocytochemical localization of Cathepsin D and CA 125 in ovarian cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the expression of Cathepsin D (Cath D) and CA 125 antigens and ER and PR receptors on freshly obtained surgical specimens of ovarian carcinomas and their relationship with menopausal status, tumor histology, primary tumor size and lymph node invasion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The tumors obtained from 100 women were measured and cut in half. The cut surface of one half was pressed against glass slides which were air dried and stained using the Avidin-Biotin peroxidase method for Cath D and CA 125 antigens. The slides were viewed under the light microscope for the characteristic brown granules in the cytoplasm or membrane of the malignant cells. The other half of the tumor was subjected to routine histological examination and part used for the demonstration of ER and PR receptors. The results were analyzed using chi 2 analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cath D positivity was as common as CA 125 positivity. Cath D positivity is more frequently associated with serous carcinomas than with others. No relationship was observed between ER/PR positivity and Cath D or CA 125 positivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high incidence of Cath D positivity makes it a possible complementary method for following up ovarian carcinoma patients especially those who are CA 125 negative.
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Medical School, Athens University, Greece.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Athanassiadou
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sakellariou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michalas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petrakakou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Athanassiades
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aravantinos
mesh_terms: D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000032:analysis*; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D002402:Cathepsin D