Mr. Cardillo et al., EXPRESSION OF CATHEPSIN-D MESSENGER-RNA IN OVARIAN NEOPLASIA - DEMONSTRATION BY NON ISOTOPIC IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY, Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research, 14(2), 1995, pp. 155-162
The gene expression and distribution of cathepsin D were assessed in a
series of 26 ovarian surgical specimens using non isotopic in situ hy
bridisation and immunohistochemistry. Presence of cathepsin D mRNA and
protein was verified in 80% of benign ovarian tumors. Cathepsin D mRN
A levels were present in 95% and proteins in 71% of malignant tumors.
Cathepsin D had a focal and patchy distribution. In more than 10% of t
he cancer cells, it was localized prevalently at the edge of the tumor
, in the cytoplasm of the malignant epithelial cells and in the macrop
hages adjacent to tumour. Cathepsin D did not appear to significantly
correlate to the stage or grading of ovarian carcinomas. However, cath
epsin D antigen seems to be expressed more in well- and moderately-dif
ferentiated tumours rather than in poorly-differentiated tumours. Our
study appears to confirm that in ovarian neoplasia cathepsin D is over
expressed. The cathepsin D overproduction may increase the metastatic
potential of ovarian neoplasms by degrading the baement membrane and e
xtracellular matrix. The preferential expression of secreted cathepsin
at tumour edge, indicates that cathepsin D has a role in the malignan
t progression of ovarian carcinomas. The invasiveness of the tumour co
uld depend on the ratio between the stromal and inflammatory component
s. In conclusion, even though cathepsin D does not appear to correlate
with stage, histotype or grading, it should be useful in predicting t
he risk of local recurrence and spread of disease.