Serum cathepsin B activity during regression of Morris hepatoma 5123 D.
BACKGROUND
Serum cathepsin B activity has been considered a potential marker of tumor progression. We previously demonstrated that low-frequency electromagnetic stimulation (LF EMS), called bioresonance therapy (BRT), may both accelerate and inhibit the growth of transplantable hepatoma (Morris type 5123D), including total tumor regression. The aim of this study was to assess serum cathepsin activity during tumor progression and regression.


METHODS
Of 60 female rats inoculated with Morris hepatoma cells, 45 were treated with BRT, and the remaining 15 were left without treatment. Fifteen rats without inoculated tumors served as controls. Serum cathepsin B activity was determined, tumor volumes were measured, and histological examinations of the tumor tissues were performed.


RESULTS
Of the 45 BRT-treated rats, tumor regression was observed in 31 rats, and serum cathepsin activity was analyzed in these rats. In all non-treated rats, tumor progression was observed. Serum cathepsin B activity was significantly higher in both the BRT-treated group (27.8+/-4.1 U/l, p<0.01) and the tumor-bearing group (19.9+/-2.5 U/l, p<0.05), as compared to the controls (13.3+/-3.4 U/l).


CONCLUSIONS
Cathepsin B may play an important role, not only in tumor expansion, but also during the processes of cancer cell death and resorption. High circulating levels may thus correspond to effective therapeutic response in the course of antitumor treatment.
Fedorowski
Artur
A
Department of Family Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland. artur.fedorowski@oreboll.se
Steciwko
Andrzej
A
Rabczyński
Jerzy
J
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002401:Cathepsin B / Q000097:blood*; D016923:Cell Death; D002455:Cell Division; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018450:Disease Progression; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D005260:Female; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental; D009336:Necrosis; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D051381:Rats; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002401:Cathepsin B