R. Makarewicz et G. Drewa, A POSSIBLE APPLICATION OF CATHEPSIN-B ACTIVITY DETERMINATION FOR ESTIMATING THE SPREAD OF THE CERVIX UTERI CARCINOMA, Acta Biochimica Polonica, 43(3), 1996, pp. 521-524
The value of cathepsin B activity determination for evaluation of the
extent of disease was investigated in 98 patients with the cervix uter
i carcinoma and 25 women with cervix uteri dysplasia. The measurements
were performed before treatment. Cathepsin B activity was estimated i
n serum using Z-Phe-Arg-NMec, and in tumor tissue using Z-Arg-Arg-pNA
. HCl as substrates. The mean activity of the enzyme increased both in
serum and tumor tissue with progression of neoplastic disease and was
dependent on the clinical stage of cervical carcinoma It should be st
ressed, however, that among the patients with the clinically observed
early stage of the disease, higher cathepsin B activity was observed i
n those in whom metastases to pelvic lymph nodes were detected than in
those in whom the disease was limited to cervix uteri.