IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF CATHEPSIN-D AND CA-125 IN OVARIAN CANCER

Objective: To study the expression of Cathepsin D (Cath D) and CA 125 antigens and ER and PR receptors on freshly obtained surgical specimen s of ovarian carcinomas and their relationship with menopausal status, tumor histology, primary tumor size and lymph node invasion. Method: The tumors obtained from 100 women were measured and cut in half. The cut surface of one half was pressed against glass slides which were ai r dried and stained using the Avidin-Biotin peroxidase method for Cath D and CA 125 antigens. The slides were viewed under the light microsc ope for the characteristic brown granules in the cytoplasm or nlembran e of the malignant cells. The other half of the tumor was subjected to routine histological examination and part used for the demonstration of ER and PR receptors. The results were analyzed using chi(2) analysi s. Results: Cath D positivity was as common as CA 125 positivity. Cath D positivity is more frequently associated with serous carcinomas tha n with others. No relationship was observed between ER/PR positivity a nd Cath D or CA 125 positivity. Conclusion: The high incidence of Cath D positivity makes it a possible complementary method for following u p ovarian carcinoma patients especially those who are CA 125 negative. (C) 1997 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.