IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON CATHEPSIN-B AND CATHEPSIN-D IN PANCREATIC-CANCER

Lysosomal enzymes, cathepsin B and D, have been studied in their possi ble relationship to the ability of malignant cells to invade and metas tasize. In the current investigation, these cathepsins were detected i mmunohistochemically using avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method in the pancreatic cancer cells of 21 patients. The positive rate of ident ification of cathepsin B and D was 43% and 81%, respectively. Cathepsi n D stained more strongly than cathepsin B and the plasma membrane sta ined quite strongly in two instances. A correlation between the presen ce of cathepsin B or D in cancer cells and the degree of metastasis to lymph nodes, liver, or lung was not recognized.