PROTEASES AND INVASION BY METASTATIC TUMOR-CELLS - CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR PROSTATE-CANCER

Proteases have been widely implicated in tumor invasion and metastases . Likewise, receptors for MMP-2, alpha(2)M, UA and tPA may play a crit ical regulatory role in modulation protease activity and invasion. The se studies have been largely based on in vitro assays with various tum or lines. More recently in situ studies have indicated that metallopro teinases (e.g. MMP-2, UA, tPA) may serve as useful diagnostic or progn ostic indicators of tumor progression and metastatic potential. The de velopment of in vitro diagnostic procedures utilizing primary epitheli al prostate cultures is considered. Also the potential role of growth factors (PDGF, EGF, TGFB) in the regulation of metalloprotease product ion is considered. Finally, approaches to drug design and development of chemotherapy regimens are considered which selectively block invasi ve behavior of metastatically aggressive tumors.