Cathepsins B, L and cystatin C in cyst fluid of ovarian tumors.
BACKGROUND
In cancer, an extracellular and membrane bound localization of cathepsins contribute to the invasion of tumor cells at the basement membrane.


METHODS
This is the first study that explored levels of cathepsins B (CatB), L (CatL) and their inhibitor cystatin C (CysC) in the cystic fluid (CF) of ovarian tumors (n = 110).


RESULTS
CF contained considerable amounts of CatB, CatL and CysC. Remarkable differences in CatB and CatL and CysC CF levels were found between different histopathological tumor subtypes. Levels of CatB and CysC were significantly higher in CF of malignant serous tumors compared to those found in benign serous tumors (p = 0.010 and p = 0.001 respectively), whereas levels of CatL were significantly higher in CF of malignant mucinous tumors compared to those found in benign mucinous tumors (p = 0.035). CatB and CysC showed a strong correlation in the group of patients with malignant serous tumors (p < 0.001; R = 0.921) suggesting that the increase in CatB might be balanced by a corresponding increase in CysC.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are warranted to investigate cathepsins as possible prognostic biomarkers for the aggressiveness of ovarian cancer.
Kolwijck
Eva
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
Massuger
Leon F A G
LF
Thomas
Chris M G
CM
Span
Paul N
PN
Krasovec
Marta
M
Kos
Janko
J
Sweep
Fred C G J
FC
D000328:Adult; D002401:Cathepsin B / Q000378:metabolism*; D056668:Cathepsin L / Q000378:metabolism*; D020420:Cyst Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D055316:Cystatin C / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D055316:Cystatin C; D002401:Cathepsin B; D056668:Cathepsin L