THE ROLE OF PROTEOLYTIC-ENZYMES IN THE PATHOLOGY OF EPITHELIAL OVARIAN-CARCINOMA (REVIEW)

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecolog ic malignancy among North American women. The vast majority of women a re diagnosed after the cancer has metastasized into the peritoneum, re sulting in a low 5-year survival. Because of difficulties associated w ith early detection of ovarian carcinoma and the invasive potential of these malignancies, a more detailed understanding of the mechanism(s) by which ovarian carcinomas metastasize may suggest novel therapeutic approaches which could impact favorably on long-term survival. Connec tive tissue degrading proteinases are necessary for tumor cell invasio n and enzymes in the plasminogen activator (PA) and matrix metalloprot einase (MMP) families have been implicated in ovarian cancer metastasi s. The goal of this review is to summarize current data regarding the role of these proteinases in ovarian carcinoma invasion.