CATHEPSIN-D - ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TN-STAGE AND STEROID-RECEPTOR STATUS OF BREAST-CARCINOMA

Purpose: To assess whether the expression of estrogen-induced protease , cathepsin D, might facilitate biological subgrouping of patients wit h breast carcinomas, and accordingly, its potential applicability in c linical oncology. Patients and Methods: This study includes 70 patient s with histologically confirmed breast carcinoma. Pathological finding s were classified according to tumor size (T) and the presence or abse nce of metastases in regional lymph nodes (N). Steroid hormone recepto r (SR) density as well as cathepsin D concentrations were assayed in t he cytosol of breast carcinomas in accordance with the recommendation of the EORTC. Results and Discussion: Statistically significant direct correlations were observed between cathepsin D expression and axillar y node status as well as SR status. However, it is important to point out that in spite of these statistically significant findings, there w ere no biologically significant associations due to a wide range of in dividual cathepsin D values. Baseline levels of cathepsin D expression were found in patients with SR-negative status and node-negative tumo rs as well as in patients with SR-negative status and tumors of less t han or equal to 2 cm. Accordingly, a clinical significance of cathepsi n D expression may be assumed.