Expression of cathepsin D and pS2 in imprint smears of breast carcinoma.
The aim of this study was to add to existing information on the effects of certain tumour markers expressed by breast cancers on tumour malignancy as evidenced by size of primary and occurrence of lymph node invasion. One hundred freshly resected breast cancers were examined by immunocytochemical staining of imprint smears for Cathepsin D and pS2. Oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were tested for by dextrose-coated charcoal (DCC) assay and the results correlated with tumour size, histology and presence or absence of lymph node metastases at the time of surgery using chi(2) analysis. A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between Cathepsin D positivity and ER, PR and pS2 positivity. In tumours < 2 cm in diameter at surgery a positive correlation was observed between Cathepsin D positivity and the presence of lymph node metastases. The findings support the hypothesis that Cathepsin D may promote early metastasis, possibly by its proteolytic activity.
Department of Pathology, Medical School, Athens' University, Greece.
P P
PP
Athanassiadou
P H
PH
Athanassiades
P
P
Davaris
E I
EI
Petrakakou
C I
CI
Zerva
K A
KA
Kyrkou
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000378:metabolism*; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011506:Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C051838:TFF1 protein, human; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D002402:Cathepsin D