Proteases as prognostic markers in cancer

摘要: It is the ability to invade and metastasize that ultimately determines prognosis in cancer. Comprising one of key groups molecules involved invasion metastasis are proteases such as urokinase plasminogen activator cathepsins B, D, L, well various metalloproteases. These catalyze degradation interstitial matrix basement membranes, allowing cancer cells locally distant sites. If directly causally spread, they have potential be new prognostic markers One best examples a correlation between high levels protease primary tumor poor activation breast In this malignancy, strong independent marker may for axillary node-negative disease. The also other cancers gastric, colorectal, lung, bladder, cervical, ovarian cancers. number studies, cathepsin D has been shown factor However, results with especially when immunocytochemistry used its detection, conflicting. Levels certain metalloproteases supply data cancers, but these still preliminary.