EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX COMPONENTS AND PROTEOLYTIC-ENZYMES IN UTERINE CERVICAL-CARCINOMA

The important components of mucopolysaccharides and collagen have been analyzed in tissues of control and carcinoma of uterine cervix. Among these components hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate levels were found to be increased, whereas decreased level of collagen was observ ed in uterine cervical carcinoma. Serum cathepsin B, D and acid and al kaline phosphatases have also been analyzed in controls and carcinoma patients before and after treatments. The activities of these enzymes have been found to increase prominently in advanced stages. Among thes e enzymes cathepsin B and alkaline phosphatase have exhibited remarkab le increase in activity in uterine cervical carcinoma. Different modes of treatment exerted reversion of the elevated activities of these en zymes. However, combined therapy type II (radiation combined with cisp latin and cyclophosphomide) seems to be more effective in reverting th e activities of these enzymes to normal levels.